as in contender
one who strives for the same thing as another
the third-party challenger in the presidential election
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Recent Examples of challenger
Sora 2 is an AI video generator, a TikTok challenger, and a social network all in one.
—
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Primary challengers enter the fray The backlash against Cunningham’s votes and comments extends into the upcoming 2026 election cycle.
—Mary Ramsey
october 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
Two-time incumbent David Miller defended his seat on the CalPERS Board of Administration from two challengers, Santa Monica fire Captain Dominick Bei and former Pasadena city manager Steve Mermell, according to CalPERS election results released Thursday.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Season 42 continues on Friday with TJ Fisher returning as champion to face two new challengers.
—Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Outside of their own walls, the state of the East could give rise to a few different challengers — Atlanta?
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Holladay, 42, ran against Wing in 2024, with Wing narrowly defeating the Democratic challenger by a margin of 7,541 to 7,255.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2025
Chase has sped away from most every challenger in the league, through four seasons.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
But the ardent annual cookie pushers have a new challenger.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Primary challengers enter the fray The backlash against Cunningham’s votes and comments extends into the upcoming 2026 election cycle.
—Mary Ramsey
october 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
Two-time incumbent David Miller defended his seat on the CalPERS Board of Administration from two challengers, Santa Monica fire Captain Dominick Bei and former Pasadena city manager Steve Mermell, according to CalPERS election results released Thursday.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Season 42 continues on Friday with TJ Fisher returning as champion to face two new challengers.
—Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Outside of their own walls, the state of the East could give rise to a few different challengers — Atlanta?
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Holladay, 42, ran against Wing in 2024, with Wing narrowly defeating the Democratic challenger by a margin of 7,541 to 7,255.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2025
Chase has sped away from most every challenger in the league, through four seasons.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
But the ardent annual cookie pushers have a new challenger.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenger
Noun
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There are a few bags that stand out as favorites among flight crews, and one of the leading contenders is majorly discounted at Amazon right now.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Oct. 2025
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The 32-year-old would be a helpful third-line pickup for a playoff contender as a rental.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Peiliker, the oldest contestant in 2025, is one year older than Beatrice Njoya, who became the oldest contestant at Miss Universe in 2024.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
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The game show, for example, can have fresh clues and contestants every day, or Change My Mind can see the user debate an AI competitor on a fresh topic that changes frequently.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The paper has also decided to chart a very different course on editorials from its closest competitor.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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As mentioned above, the less-expensive Yubico Security Key NFC—and some competitors—only support the tap-to-authenticate form of MFA.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In front of the West Stand press box, fans sang and danced together to Spirit of the Blues and Singing the Blues — the latter a reference to rivals Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Georgie, meanwhile, seeks to buy the auto shop after Jim considers selling it to a local rival, Fred Fagenbacher (Matt Letscher).—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Challenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenger. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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