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

But that may not stop incumbent Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman from facing questions about Israel’s war in Gaza during a candidate forum co-hosted by Jewish Federation Los Angeles. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Longtime city councilmember Jayna Karpinski-Costa — a veterinarian and attorney who has twice served as the city’s mayor — seeks another term on Citrus Heights’ city council, but faces a challenger for the 4th District seat. — Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Such commitments were cast as small fry by some challengers and on Tuesday, Burnham announced fresh details about his policy plans. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

One of the highest-profile races in the midterm election cycle is the battle for New York's 17th Congressional District between two-term Republican incumbent Mike Lawler and Democratic challenger Cait Conley. — Dick Brennan, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

The cavalry has arrived for Ken Paxton in Texas as Republicans execute a large and astonishingly fast ramp-up in spending to fend off his Democratic challenger for Senate. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Sep. 2026

Still, the challenger advantages were generally much smaller. — Luke Fountain,gabriel Cortés, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Indeed, cooling is regarded as one of the major challengers for operators of orbital data centers, as there is no airflow in space to carry away heat. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Natalie Fleming, independent challenger Fleming, 55, of Meridian, has run three prior times for federal office in Idaho dating to 2018. — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2026