Synonyms of challenger

challenger

noun

as in contender

one who strives for the same thing as another

the third-party challenger in the presidential election

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contender
• contestant
• competitor
• rival
• competition
• finalist
• entrant
• corrival
• opponent
• adversary
• archrival
• entry
• player
• also-ran
• antagonist
• semifinalist

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partner
• ally
• teammate
• collaborator
• noncompetitor
• supporter
• backer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of challenger

Matsui, 82, faces progressive challenger and Sacramento Councilmember Mai Vang for the 7th Congressional District, which includes Sacramento’s downtown core, Elk Grove, Placerville and El Dorado Hills. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Republican Ryan Mackenzie will look to defend his seat against Democratic challenger Bob Brooks. — Dan Snyder, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

With no party likely to win a majority, Netanyahu’s Likud and its far-right, ultra-Orthodox allies face centrist and left-wing challengers competing to assemble a governing coalition. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had avoided debating challenger Flávio Bolsonaro — the son of a former president jailed for staging a coup — but the rightist’s first-round victory put the president on the back foot. — semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

There’s another challenger who could cut in front of Mitchell, given the obvious reverb of Beatlemania. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026

Clients and patrons Collins’ Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, for example, says he isn’t backed by corporate PACs or billionaire donors but by working people. — Nicholas Jacobs, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026

Fundora entered the bout looking toward a chance to unify the 154-pound division, but first had to get past a stubborn mandatory challenger. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026

Newton, Valdosta and Heard County defended their high rankings with victories over Top 10 challengers last week. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026