1
as in objections
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent
there were no serious challenges to the legislative bill, so it passed easily
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in problems
something that requires thought and skill for resolution
the many challenges facing developing countries in the 21st century
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in questions
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
don't hesitate to challenge any statement that generalizes about people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in requires
to have as a requirement
having to put up with an overbearing boss challenges forbearance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 challenges
PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2025
The week of awareness was launched in 1982, created in response to a surge of these challenges, according to the American Library Association.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
That’s not to say Sheinbaum doesn’t face challenges in this area.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Tesla towing fix Towing is one of the toughest challenges for electric pickups, and the Cybertruck is no exception.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
Levy described the challenges of navigating her pregnancy without her partner.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Nonetheless, those losses could mean an uphill fight for his administration even in front of the justices, who have so far sided with the president on many legal challenges to his effort to remake the government.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
The announcement marked a major moment for the city’s small business community, which has faced significant challenges over the past few years in a post-COVID world.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 5 Oct. 2025
Over the years, Ludwinski said she’s connected with people at Zingerman’s who helped with questions about business challenges.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Their paper challenges the standard Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) model, which assumes that the effects of dark energy remain constant.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Staffing challenges – either at the local level, at the federal level or both – also could play a significant role in delaying interactions between the CDC and local health departments.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
The paper, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, challenges the longstanding belief that fruit smoothies spike blood sugar.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025
There’s also a mystery that lasts the entire season involving a counterpart serial killer who essentially challenges Dexter to catch him.
—Barry Garron, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Through powerful and provocative imagery, Lurie’s work challenges viewers to confront the human cost of hatred, genocide, and loss, while illuminating the resilience of the creative spirit.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
It was made in support of a lawsuit filed in federal court in San Jose that challenges the courthouse arrests in San Francisco, Concord and Sacramento, as well as the conditions in the detention center where San Francisco detainees are held.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Million-year-old skull challenges history of human evolution A million-year-old skull discovered in China could rewrite the history of human evolution.
—Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
Now, a new report suggests the project may have hit technical challenges around that first device.
—PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2025
The week of awareness was launched in 1982, created in response to a surge of these challenges, according to the American Library Association.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
That’s not to say Sheinbaum doesn’t face challenges in this area.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Tesla towing fix Towing is one of the toughest challenges for electric pickups, and the Cybertruck is no exception.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
Levy described the challenges of navigating her pregnancy without her partner.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Nonetheless, those losses could mean an uphill fight for his administration even in front of the justices, who have so far sided with the president on many legal challenges to his effort to remake the government.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
The announcement marked a major moment for the city’s small business community, which has faced significant challenges over the past few years in a post-COVID world.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 5 Oct. 2025
Over the years, Ludwinski said she’s connected with people at Zingerman’s who helped with questions about business challenges.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
Her choice challenges the rules of her world and sparks a rebellion that paves the way for a new way of life.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Their paper challenges the standard Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) model, which assumes that the effects of dark energy remain constant.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Staffing challenges – either at the local level, at the federal level or both – also could play a significant role in delaying interactions between the CDC and local health departments.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
The paper, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, challenges the longstanding belief that fruit smoothies spike blood sugar.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025
There’s also a mystery that lasts the entire season involving a counterpart serial killer who essentially challenges Dexter to catch him.
—Barry Garron, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Through powerful and provocative imagery, Lurie’s work challenges viewers to confront the human cost of hatred, genocide, and loss, while illuminating the resilience of the creative spirit.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
It was made in support of a lawsuit filed in federal court in San Jose that challenges the courthouse arrests in San Francisco, Concord and Sacramento, as well as the conditions in the detention center where San Francisco detainees are held.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Million-year-old skull challenges history of human evolution A million-year-old skull discovered in China could rewrite the history of human evolution.
—Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenges
Noun
-
Reviewing pages have been thinned by the forces of history and technology; few Pynchon skeptics anymore bother to take the time to read the novels and register their objections.—
Book Marks
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
-
As the administration takes aim at vessels in the Caribbean, senators and lawmakers of both major political parties have raised stark objections.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are still problems on defense.—
Matt Hayes,
USA TODAY,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The path forward But whoever wins, securing the party leadership is just the first step – and a host of problems await.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Her mother, Kris Jenner, questions whether wearing diamonds to testify is a good look.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Everybody always questions his defense and everything else.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yet no less worthy are the moments of self-correction, when a thinker dares to undo what once seemed certain.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The commentary on how responsibilities take over our lives, forcing us to dismiss what’s truly valuable, never dares to substantially poke at the reasons why this occurs, such as economic inequality, lack of opportunities and corporate greed.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Undoubtedly, there are players with potential and talent at Tuchel’s disposal, but very little valuable experience in a position that requires more maturity and discipline.—
Rob Tanner,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Treatment usually requires a layered approach.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Limited exceptions will be made for good cause, like caring for young children and health issues, but the principle is clear—those who can work, should.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
-
His 15-year probation sentence banned him from his hometown, only making exceptions for specific events such as free concerts for fans and charitable purposes.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
One of the defendants, Benjamin Song — a 32-year-old former Marine Corps reservist who associates described to authorities as a cult-like ringleader who opposes the government on immigration enforcement and on other matters — shot Alvarado Police Department Lt.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Dale Ellis covers the federal courthouse beat for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, reporting on criminal and civil matters that impact Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Khudaynazar disputes the mayor’s assessment, per the lawsuit.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Kessler also disputes that Polk engaged in wrongdoing.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Challenges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenges. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share