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
DeGette has defeated primary challengers before, but this time her opponents have lined up long endorsement rosters.
—
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Regardless of what Demuth decides, Qualls likely will face a primary challenger in August.
—Jimmy Lovrien, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
Candidates who challenge the powerful can draw strong but silent support, because there is open fear of reprisals from city officials against those who back any challenger to the people in charge.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Both the Men’s and Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournaments are underway, and before long, the challengers for the AEW Men’s and Women’s World Championships will be determined.
—Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The third challenger, Carmenlina Minasova, is a medical professional who lives in the Valley.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
District 4 There are two challengers vying for the seat.
—Kristy Hutchings, Daily News, 29 May 2026
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Regardless of what Demuth decides, Qualls likely will face a primary challenger in August.
—Jimmy Lovrien, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
Candidates who challenge the powerful can draw strong but silent support, because there is open fear of reprisals from city officials against those who back any challenger to the people in charge.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Both the Men’s and Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournaments are underway, and before long, the challengers for the AEW Men’s and Women’s World Championships will be determined.
—Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The third challenger, Carmenlina Minasova, is a medical professional who lives in the Valley.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
District 4 There are two challengers vying for the seat.
—Kristy Hutchings, Daily News, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenger
Noun
-
The Braves had Cy Young contender Chris Sale on the mound.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
5 June 2026
-
Mike Tirico, Jamal Crawford, and Reggie Miller discusses why San Antonio could be a contender for years to come, highlighting Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs' chemistry and its long-term outlook.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Previously, the show has been hosted by former Love Island contestant Maura Higgins, who rose to fame as a finalist in the fifth series of the ITV2 reality series in 2019.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
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During the latest installment of the competition, Hollywood playfully called out Leith for a notably harsh critique of one of the contestant's culinary confections.—
Stacy Lambe,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Aren’t professional athletes supposed to be the ultimate competitors?—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
Serena Williams will return to professional tennis this summer as a doubles competitor the HSBC Championships.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
These two great rivals never raced each other again.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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In the span of a week, the Golden State Valkyries and Indiana Fever have seemingly become rivals.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Challenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenger. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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