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
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Recent Examples of challenges
Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
One of the biggest challenges in HS care is that the condition doesn’t present consistently.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 18 May 2026
The operational challenges are compounded by a sharp rise in calls for service on the east side.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
The Displacement Film Fund was first initiated at UNHCR’s Global Refugee Forum, the world’s largest gathering dedicated to addressing challenges faced by refugees and their host communities, and was officially established last year.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 May 2026
Written by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe and directed by Jeremy Herrin, the play is about a person whose mother is facing mental health challenges.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
If students can quickly find answers to relatively routine questions, staff can free up time to focus on the students and challenges that truly require one-on-one attention.
—Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Hardship programs Some creditors offer temporary hardship assistance for borrowers who are facing financial challenges tied to retirement, disability or reduced income.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 May 2026
But their return has come with challenges, particularly in rural areas in the northern part of the state where ranchers contend with the pack hunters preying on their cattle.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Benjamin Chrisinger, The Conversation, 19 May 2026
The report also challenges the assumption that administrative systems are neutral in their impact on students.
—Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
The lawsuit challenges a trend spreading across major sports and entertainment venues of using facial recognition to prevent fraud, heighten safety and facilitate purchases.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
This was an early reveal of Nolan's trademark – an intricate plot of shifting timelines that challenges the audience to keep up.
—Nicole Young, CBS News, 17 May 2026
Apart from featuring stories that grapple with suicidal ideation, this anthology also challenges narrow portrayals of mental illness through diverse, nuanced stories.
—Rocky Callen, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Now in its fourth edition, the contest challenges German university students to develop a creative solution to an issue of mobility.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 May 2026
The new format challenges players to solve five-letter word puzzles in a battle of smarts, speed and fun.
—Peter White, Deadline, 11 May 2026
In 2021 researchers found a quasicrystal—a kind of matter scientists once thought impossible that challenges traditional ideas about how solids form.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
Noun
During the Earth Day Dinner panel discussion, Kerr was asked about trying to get people to understand her vision for her brand, as well as any challenges she's faced along the way.
—Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
One of the biggest challenges in HS care is that the condition doesn’t present consistently.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 18 May 2026
The operational challenges are compounded by a sharp rise in calls for service on the east side.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
The Displacement Film Fund was first initiated at UNHCR’s Global Refugee Forum, the world’s largest gathering dedicated to addressing challenges faced by refugees and their host communities, and was officially established last year.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 May 2026
Written by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe and directed by Jeremy Herrin, the play is about a person whose mother is facing mental health challenges.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
If students can quickly find answers to relatively routine questions, staff can free up time to focus on the students and challenges that truly require one-on-one attention.
—Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Hardship programs Some creditors offer temporary hardship assistance for borrowers who are facing financial challenges tied to retirement, disability or reduced income.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 May 2026
But their return has come with challenges, particularly in rural areas in the northern part of the state where ranchers contend with the pack hunters preying on their cattle.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Verb
Fewer people are getting SNAP benefits These aren’t the only challenges retailers that accept SNAP benefits face.
—Benjamin Chrisinger, The Conversation, 19 May 2026
The report also challenges the assumption that administrative systems are neutral in their impact on students.
—Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
The lawsuit challenges a trend spreading across major sports and entertainment venues of using facial recognition to prevent fraud, heighten safety and facilitate purchases.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
This was an early reveal of Nolan's trademark – an intricate plot of shifting timelines that challenges the audience to keep up.
—Nicole Young, CBS News, 17 May 2026
Apart from featuring stories that grapple with suicidal ideation, this anthology also challenges narrow portrayals of mental illness through diverse, nuanced stories.
—Rocky Callen, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
Now in its fourth edition, the contest challenges German university students to develop a creative solution to an issue of mobility.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 15 May 2026
The new format challenges players to solve five-letter word puzzles in a battle of smarts, speed and fun.
—Peter White, Deadline, 11 May 2026
In 2021 researchers found a quasicrystal—a kind of matter scientists once thought impossible that challenges traditional ideas about how solids form.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenges
Noun
-
This change is well underway, and the very reasonable objections to this path will not dissuade the company.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
-
The Reverend Edmond Massey, preaching in the midst of London’s outbreak, captured the essence of such objections.—
Tom Levenson,
Time,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The Mersin governor’s office said the man had a history of substance abuse and psychiatric problems.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
Scientists have to solve all problems at once, because only the overlap is where progress happens.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Rawlence also questions whether what Colossal is doing is really reviving extinct species.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
19 May 2026
-
Beneath today’s economic pressures remains a lingering question many workers continue asking themselves that questions what a sustainable life actually looks like in an increasingly unstable economy.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
When the warm weather calls for a sandal, the only pair my mom dares to reach for are her Keen wedge sandals.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
-
In each case, Akhavan dares the viewer to look closer, and perhaps, for a moment, let an object become more than our preconceptions.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Addressing long-term encampments requires consistent outreach, mental health care, sanitation access, and pathways to stable housing.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
-
Traditionally, maintaining vigilance in places like the South China Sea requires constant Naval patrols, which are expensive.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
With very few exceptions, an end was declared, not only to empires, but also to city-states, duchies, principalities, emirates, sultanates, caliphates, khanates, agencies, princely states, colonies, suzerains, dependencies, mandates, tributaries, condominia and protectorates.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
In the aggregate, there is a correlation between earlier picks and better outcomes, but exceptions abound.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Washington required time to finish up a few personal matters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
This matters because fermentation reduces bitterness and makes plant compounds, especially polyphenols, more available.—
Dr. Steven Gundry,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The subpoenas are part of the DOJ’s ongoing court case against EZ Lynk over its alleged role in Clean Air Act violations, which the company disputes.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
-
No one disputes that child abuse is a serious problem that demands serious policy.—
James R Mason,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Challenges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenges. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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