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
Starmer’s Cabinet colleagues expressed support, and none of the high-profile Labour politicians considered potential challengers has made a move.
—
ABC News, 9 May 2026
Dusso doubts that the challengers would’ve won on a campaign solely against the redistricting effort.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Bond markets have been spooked by the prospect of political change as the obvious challengers, Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham, might push for greater government borrowing and spending, which could take gilt yields even higher.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Incumbents expressed frustration that a colleague was funding their challengers.
—Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026
Season 42 continues on Friday with Tristan Williams returning as champion to face two new challengers.
—Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 8 May 2026
As the incumbent mayor, Bass had to weather blows from her challengers while trying to sell voters on her fitness for another term, despite a disastrous 2025.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
In response, Turning Point Action and Club for Growth pledged to back primary challengers against the lawmakers.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026
Palmer supported the challengers; Moss supported the incumbents.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 May 2026
ABC News, 9 May 2026
Dusso doubts that the challengers would’ve won on a campaign solely against the redistricting effort.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Bond markets have been spooked by the prospect of political change as the obvious challengers, Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham, might push for greater government borrowing and spending, which could take gilt yields even higher.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Incumbents expressed frustration that a colleague was funding their challengers.
—Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026
Season 42 continues on Friday with Tristan Williams returning as champion to face two new challengers.
—Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 8 May 2026
As the incumbent mayor, Bass had to weather blows from her challengers while trying to sell voters on her fitness for another term, despite a disastrous 2025.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
In response, Turning Point Action and Club for Growth pledged to back primary challengers against the lawmakers.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026
Palmer supported the challengers; Moss supported the incumbents.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challengers
Noun
-
Simon did not cite any competitors, but Aéropostale typically squares off with emerging, teen-centric brands like Edikted, Princess Polly and Urban Outfitters.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
Publishing a blog alongside a report titled The Netflix Effect, Co-CEO Sarandos took the fight to his competitors.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Barring an Eric Swalwell-style blow-up, the top three — Becerra, Steyer and Hilton — are really the only true contenders.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
Three contenders for the Republican nomination are advocating for even more aggressive tax relief while oil prices are riding high.—
Morgan Lee,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Noun
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And not just because one of the leading contestants torched himself and his political livelihood in a bonfire of hubris and stupidity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
Beast Games, a spectacle of over-the-top competition, offers 1,000 contestants the chance to win a $5 million prize with other high-value prizes being doled out in the process.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Two old rivals, the New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun, played the first game of the league’s 30th season with two potentially budding rivals, the Seattle Storm and Golden State Valkyries, capping the night in the third and final game.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
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The rivals went point-for-point in the final set until Titriyski and Todd combined for a block that brought the score to 23-21 in Hawai’i’s favor.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Challengers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challengers. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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