Synonyms of challenges

challenges 1 of 2

noun

plural of challenge

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

• objections
• exceptions
• complaints
• questions
• difficulties
• protests
• criticisms
• demurrers
• expostulations
• remonstrances
• stinks
• doubts
• demurrals
• fusses
• disputes
• suspicions
• demurs
• qualms
• misgivings
• kicks
• uncertainties
• misunderstandings
• skepticism
• squabbles
• compunctions
• quibbles
• scruples
• dissents
• arguments
• quarrels
• debates
• conflicts
• rebellions
• reluctances
• censures
• statics
• mistrust
• distrust
• cavils
• disobediences
• defiances
• reservations
• niggles
• hassles
• misdoubts
• indeterminations
• dubitations
• dubieties
• incertitudes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sanctions
• approvals
• agreements
• acceptances
• assents
• acquiescences
• compliances
• obediences

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

• problems
• matters
• issues
• troubles
• cases
• questions
• nuts
• dilemmas
• predicaments
• quandaries
• knots
• pitfalls
• conundrums
• puzzles
• mysteries
• hot waters
• toughies
• riddles
• quagmires
• corners
• jams
• glitches
• snags
• fixes
• pickles
• cruxes
• enigmas
• holes
• puzzlements
• mires
• spots
• Gordian knots
• hitches
• sticky wickets
• catches
• brainteasers
• stumpers
• posers
• catch-22's

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• solutions
• answers
• silver bullets
• magic bullets
• panaceas
• cure-alls

challenges

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of challenge

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

• questions
• disputes
• contests
• doubts
• queries
• calls in question
• protests
• oppugns
• impeaches
• objects (to)
• resists
• kicks (about)
• opposes
• mistrusts
• fights
• combats

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believes
• accepts
• embraces
• supports
• swallows
• defends
• backs
• advocates
• champions
• promotes
• endures
• tolerates
• abides
• stomachs

2

as in dares

to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat

I challenge you to swim to the other side of the pond

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dares
• confronts
• stumps
• defies
• faces
• braves
• breasts
• outbraves
• brazens
• outfaces
• beards

3

as in requires

to have as a requirement

having to put up with an overbearing boss challenges forbearance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• requires
• needs
• demands
• wants
• takes
• claims
• involves
• necessitates
• calls for
• warrants
• entails
• bears
• asks
• begs
• lacks
• cries (for)
• hurts (for)
• clamors (for)
• insists
• stipulates
• commands
• quests
• presses
• exacts
• enjoins

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• has
• holds
• possesses
• owns

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of challenges

Noun

These sessions have helped Ellis develop a better understanding of the challenges others have overcome. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Take the quiz here … LISTEN Tune in as a botched execution attempt in Tennessee reignites debate over lethal injection, alternative execution methods, and the legal challenges surrounding capital punishment. — FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

In the past, Palestinian leaders have postponed elections at the eleventh hour, citing challenges including campaigning and voting in East Jerusalem. — Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Kids spending too much time on these platforms face real challenges during key stages of growth. — Darius Tahir, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

The author wrote about the Legislature not funding education and the challenges that teachers face. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Here, Valade explains the challenges apparel brands face in manufacturing and how his company’s solution can help. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to learn and analyze new information, and adapt to challenges. — Jennifer Fields, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

That's important because ballot secrecy is a fundamental right under the state constitution and violations could create an opening for legal challenges. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

Jeremy Irons co-stars as Jesuit priest Father Gabriel, who challenges Mendoza to undergo penance. — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

The league's filing comes as New Jersey challenges a federal appeals court ruling that favored Kalshi's position that federal commodities law overrides state gambling regulations. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Still, the mere threat of a separatist agenda undoubtedly challenges Carney’s efforts to maintain a cohesive approach at a time when Canada needs to put its strongest foot forward. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

The case challenges a 1996 Cook County ordinance which bans the sale, possession and transfer of all assault weapons and large-capacity magazines – defined as magazines holding more than 10 rounds. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

The Lady Greyhounds are there as well, and Niamh Harrigan (Aisling Sharkey) challenges her teammates to split the G, which an older gentleman points out is a tradition that actually started in Britain, not Ireland. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

Zahir Islam, PhD, a physicist at ANL, and co-author of the study, said the finding challenges a common assumption in microelectronics that the substrate beneath a thin film simply acts as a passive support. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026

Jankowski’s Crying for the March of Humanity challenges this distinction by remaking an entire episode of the Mexican telenovela, La que no podía amar (The One Who Couldn’t Love, 2011), replacing all 40-some-minutes of dialogue with crying. — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Right Livelihood said her work challenges the control that a small number of powerful companies exercise over AI and exposes harms that AI systems are already causing, particularly to communities facing discrimination and exclusion. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026