challenger

noun

Definition of challengernext
as in contender
one who strives for the same thing as another the third-party challenger in the presidential election

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of challenger With no Republican challenger, Rogers was able to devote much of the primary campaign to preparing for the fall general election. — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 5 Aug. 2026 Republican Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham leads Democratic challenger Benjamin Flores by 5 points. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026 Her vote total and the support for GOP challengers will hint at how competitive a seat Kamala Harris won by three points really is. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026 On the Republican side, three challengers – Kim Farrington, Bert Mizusawa and David Williams – face an uphill battle to oust the three-term incumbent. — Emily R. Condon, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 A number of Democratic primaries are pitting congressional incumbents against progressive challengers. — Maham Javaid, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026 In the 3rd Congressional District race, incumbent Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is running against eight challengers to defend her seat. — Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 The latest challenger comes from one of China’s biggest tech companies. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 Republican challenger Jonathan De Barros has worked as a mentor for at-risk youth. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenger
  1. contender
  2. contestant
  3. competitor
  4. rival
Noun
  • The team seeks to convert May's productive season into prospects, providing contenders with an experienced option.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Pretenders have all been exposed, as contenders attempt to create even more separation from the pack down the stretch.
    — John Laghezza, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of contender
Noun
  • Raven was previously announced as part of the cast in an official press release obtained by EW, which touted her as an official contestant.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026
  • Not knowing the answer, the contestants used their lifeline to ask host Jimmy Kimmel.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 July 2026
Definition of contestant
Noun
  • Some investors, though, expressed skepticism on a conference call Monday that Specs will break through in a crowded industry where some of the company’s competitors, like Meta, have a lot more resources.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Past research has shown that new closers have superior velocity and strikeout rate than their competitors, but unfortunately those metrics are in flux for Smith and Winn.
    — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of competitor
Noun
  • In February, Baresi was one of the torchbearers for the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, appearing alongside former Inter Milan and Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi, his longtime rival on the pitch.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Elizabeth chooses Bobby as her rival; the mustang is left as their muse.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026
Definition of rival

Browse Nearby Words

challenged
challenger
challengers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Challenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenger. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of challenger for Spanish Speakers

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