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
His Democratic challenger, Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, reported a $785,000 fundraising haul last week.
—
Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025
Yes, the title challengers were dominant on home turf, but the statistics suggest Perri should have kept the score down.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Because disruption doesn’t wait, when a brand giant stumbles, challengers such as fast-growing On and Hoka are the ones capturing the revenue that is left behind.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
Their challengers — Denver could be the best of them — have no choice but to prepare for battle against that elusiveness.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
Peacock has some name recognition that could boost his campaign above other recent Republican challengers.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Two City Council seats are up for grabs in Boise, where each incumbent faces two challengers.
—Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
Then in 2020, Markey handily defeated the young primary challenger Joe Kennedy III by more than 10 points.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
In a 2017 debate, Alvey’s challenger said when Alvey voted for rate increases while on the BPU.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 2025
Yes, the title challengers were dominant on home turf, but the statistics suggest Perri should have kept the score down.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Because disruption doesn’t wait, when a brand giant stumbles, challengers such as fast-growing On and Hoka are the ones capturing the revenue that is left behind.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
Their challengers — Denver could be the best of them — have no choice but to prepare for battle against that elusiveness.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
Peacock has some name recognition that could boost his campaign above other recent Republican challengers.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Two City Council seats are up for grabs in Boise, where each incumbent faces two challengers.
—Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
Then in 2020, Markey handily defeated the young primary challenger Joe Kennedy III by more than 10 points.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
In a 2017 debate, Alvey’s challenger said when Alvey voted for rate increases while on the BPU.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenger
Noun
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Can Sheppard play well enough that Houston emerges as a contender with him as its point guard?—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Irwin remains a top contender in Season 34, earning early praise from judge Derek Hough and tying for the highest score in Week 1.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some even licked the candy to soften it -- a trick used by contestants in the show.—
Hakyung Kate Lee,
ABC News,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Sandoz Presta was a contestant on Nick Viall’s season of The Bachelor in 2017.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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During that time, CBS’ viewership has aged and declined, and its digital operation has lagged behind nimbler competitors, even as other television networks have found some limited success in the worlds of podcasting and digital video.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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And a fierce competitor is nipping at the agency’s heels.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Certainly not in the form of Thursday’s loss, when avoidable mental lapses, defensive breakdowns and turnovers cost the Red Wings two early points against a divisional (and possible wild card) rival.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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The confrontations, while risking a broader conflict, also pose a geopolitical opportunity for India, which has cautiously sought to improve relations with the Taliban, perhaps filling the diplomatic hole left by its regional rival, Pakistan, analysts said.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Challenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenger. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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