CHALLENGERS Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

challengers

noun

plural of challenger

as in competitors

one who strives for the same thing as another the third-party challenger in the presidential election

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

noncompetitors

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of challengers Vang, 41, is one of several younger and progressive challengers seeking to oust longtime incumbents across the country. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Starkey is one of several successful challengers to Republican state senators who voted against Indiana’s mid-census redistricting attempt. — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 According to Hiatt, both pilots include returning champions competing against challengers and a progressive jackpot. — Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 The government’s refusal to make public key agreements related to the refinery has been criticized by opposition leaders, including one of Ruto’s main challengers, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. — Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026 That research could be leveraged to solve human healthcare challengers or pandemic responses, Lamm said. — Colleen McKown, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 Questions remain over how the Premier League could create competitive balance, given the vast differences in spending ability between its biggest clubs and smaller challengers. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2026 This story focuses on the election for the nonpartisan Soil and Water Conservation District, which features incumbent Barbara Bleiweis and challengers Michael Betterly, Mackenzie Pearce and Long Tran. — Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026 One leg up luxury brands have on these challengers, though, is resources. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for challengers

Noun

Erik Shirai cinematically captures the spectacle of strength that is the world of professional sumo wrestling, and shines a rare spotlight on the secrecy of the sport and its formidable competitors.

— Addie Morfoot, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
The fifth-highest payroll, the Toronto Blue Jays – seen as serious competitors for the AL East title – saw their season end before October.

— Isaac Tellechea, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of competitors

Noun

Trezavant Boyd and James Perrone are both contenders for the Nat Moore Trophy, an award recognizing South Florida's top high school football player.

— CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Fest director Susan Koch is landing more and more top Oscar contenders and talent every year, as well as Oscar pundits to cover them.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of contenders

Noun

While traditional family recipes and regional specialities are at the heart of the competition, contestants are pushed outside their comfort zones through challenges inspired by fine dining, street food and international cuisines.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
In the long-running web series, hosts interview everyday consumers on the street and then negotiate massive product discounts directly with company bosses, securing bargains for contestants.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of contestants

Noun

In the race to build the most capable AI, the perception of which lab is ahead can change several times in a few months, as each major release gives rivals a new standard to meet.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Tim Berners-Lee helped put the web into the public domain and later founded the World Wide Web Consortium, where rivals could agree on standards.

— Bob Pearson, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of rivals

Browse Nearby Words

challenger

challengers

challenges

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“Challengers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challengers. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of challengers

noun

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