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
Season 42 continues on Monday with Peter Mcferrin returning as champion to face two new challengers.
—
Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 8 June 2026
County Assessor Claude Parrish, Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen and Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Friedenrich all led their challengers by more than 70% of the vote.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) will advance to the general election to run America’s second-most-populous city, the Associated Press projected early Wednesday, as Republican reality TV star Spencer Pratt led the challengers vying to compete against her in November.
—Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, 3 June 2026
In previous years, the district has seen tons of money poured in by both parties to defend vulnerable incumbents and bolster challengers.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Gomez’s other challengers include Republican Calvin Lee, a global healthcare entrepreneur, and no-party candidate Loren Colin, the owner of a marketing agency.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 3 June 2026
Both challengers also have fundraising in the six figures, with Kiros reporting about $375,000 in contributions through March 31 and James reporting about $234,000.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
And Pagano Pagano and Psycho Clown continued the theme of abrupt openings with stereo suicide dives on the challengers.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Both of those challengers say plans to bifurcate the city attorney’s office are rooted in longstanding conflicts between Feldstein Soto and the City Council.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 8 June 2026
County Assessor Claude Parrish, Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen and Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Friedenrich all led their challengers by more than 70% of the vote.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) will advance to the general election to run America’s second-most-populous city, the Associated Press projected early Wednesday, as Republican reality TV star Spencer Pratt led the challengers vying to compete against her in November.
—Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, 3 June 2026
In previous years, the district has seen tons of money poured in by both parties to defend vulnerable incumbents and bolster challengers.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Gomez’s other challengers include Republican Calvin Lee, a global healthcare entrepreneur, and no-party candidate Loren Colin, the owner of a marketing agency.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 3 June 2026
Both challengers also have fundraising in the six figures, with Kiros reporting about $375,000 in contributions through March 31 and James reporting about $234,000.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
And Pagano Pagano and Psycho Clown continued the theme of abrupt openings with stereo suicide dives on the challengers.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Both of those challengers say plans to bifurcate the city attorney’s office are rooted in longstanding conflicts between Feldstein Soto and the City Council.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challengers
Noun
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The gaming division has been squeezed by competitors such as PlayStation and Nintendo, whose Switch consoles are some of the most popular on the market (PlayStation 5 also dominates).—
Sebastian Herrera,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
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The downside is that base plans cost more than most competitors.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Next, your votes whittled the field of contenders to the Top 10 picks.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
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The more teams that are legitimate playoff contenders each year in that conference, the better.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
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United by a Love of Food and Cooking While keeping track of 100 contestants may seem like a lot, there will be plenty for the viewers at home to root for and relate to.—
Better Homes & Gardens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2026
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Higgins was among the first contestants announced for Dancing with the Stars' 35th season alongside Summer House star Ciara Miller.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Noun
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During the course of the series so far, the two best teams in baseball had become the bitterest of rivals, the animosity between them fueled by the Cubs’ treatment of their teammate Mark Koenig, a versatile infielder who’d been traded from the Yankees in mid-season.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
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James Adams, a political science professor at UC Davis, said that Becerra and Bass coming through indicates the centrist Democratic candidates were in a stronger short-term position than their rivals.—
National Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Challengers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challengers. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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