as in competitors
one who strives for the same thing as another
the third-party challenger in the presidential election
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Recent Examples of challengers
Absent replacing party sinecurists with able, energetic people, nothing can keep candidates from adopting this agenda on their own—as some younger primary challengers of Democratic incumbents are already starting to do.
—
David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Jorgensen was elected to the council in 2021 and is seeking a second term against five challengers.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
Season 42 continues on Friday with Tom Devlin returning as champion to face two new challengers.
—Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Cornyn is facing several challengers in the Republican primary for the seat, including Representative Wesley Hunt and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 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
Two commission seats are also open, with incumbents Twanna Henderson and Patrick Holton facing a slate of challengers that includes Trey Long, Patrick O’Brien and Matt Schwoebel.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Jorgensen was elected to the council in 2021 and is seeking a second term against five challengers.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
Season 42 continues on Friday with Tom Devlin returning as champion to face two new challengers.
—Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Cornyn is facing several challengers in the Republican primary for the seat, including Representative Wesley Hunt and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 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
Two commission seats are also open, with incumbents Twanna Henderson and Patrick Holton facing a slate of challengers that includes Trey Long, Patrick O’Brien and Matt Schwoebel.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challengers
Noun
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However, declining shopper traffic in malls, the ongoing consumer migration toward e-commerce and the pandemic altered the dynamic between the two mall competitors.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
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Its transparent pricing, with no contracts, data caps or hidden fees, sets it apart from many competitors.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Instead, this team bullied one of the top NFC playoff contenders from start to finish.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Performers like Olivia Dean and PinkPantheress have pretty much provided the soundtrack for TikTok this past year, and are being viewed as strong contenders in that category, along with Ravyn Lenae and Megan Moroney.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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On Thursday night, meanwhile, high school student and aspiring dermatologist Mailyn Marsh, of Missouri, was named this year’s Miss Teen USA, a companion title for contestants aged 14 to 19.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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Probst has repeatedly clarified that no contestants who played in 2020's Season 40, including both Shallow and Collins, were asked to return for the all-stars season, set to air early next year.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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What are my rivals doing with gen AI?—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
5 Nov. 2025
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His legitimacy, lineage, gender and Protestant religion gave him the edge over his rivals, even if there were still doubts over the legality of his claim.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Challengers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challengers. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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