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
Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Moderator Andria Wilson Mirza opened the conversation by delving into each director's journey to the screen and exploring the challenges of curating films with unfolding narratives, like The Brittney Griner Story documentary, which is highly anticipated and debuting January 27, 2026, at Sundance.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
His 2026 goals largely build on longstanding challenges facing Denver.
—Jon Murray, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
Saying things out loud for the AI scribe that would typically appear only in a clinical note can create its own set of challenges, particularly during sensitive physical exams.
—Michelle Andrews, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026
Summit speakers explored the current landscape of business and industry across health care, child care, education, manufacturing and development sectors, by discussing trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the region’s economy.
—Marianne Love, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
At first sight, the final score is all that mattered, this 34-31 wild-card playoff victory over the Carolina Panthers at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium on Saturday proving to be a soul-testing triumph that will provide powerful preparation for the challenges ahead.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Despite the challenges, Alex said the diagnosis ultimately saved them from repeating IVF without answers.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
The seven grants terminated in December supported numerous public health programs, including efforts to prevent sudden unexpected infant death, strengthen pediatric care in rural communities and support teens facing substance use and mental health challenges.
—CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Farren Fei Yuan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Schedule Policy/Career challenges the idea that partisan policy influence should be permanently insulated from democratic accountability.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit challenges Utah's recent package of laws limiting what books student can access in their school libraries.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Jan. 2026
The collision of opposing perspectives forges art that challenges and confronts, that forces us out of familiar ways of thinking, relating and being.
—Richard P. Weigand, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
Every challenge challenges you to step up, prove your endurance, and learn a crucial lesson.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2026
In repressive regimes, citizen-shot video frequently challenges ruling powers’ narratives.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 29 Jan. 2026
Market share tells a similar story and also challenges the assumption that vehicle electrification would take time to expand from wealthy countries to emerging markets.
—Hengrui Liu, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit challenges 36 boat strikes since September that killed at least 126 people, the first legal case to question their legality under international law.
—Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
Deviations from protocol can become focal points in criminal defense challenges, civil rights litigation and internal discipline reviews.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Moderator Andria Wilson Mirza opened the conversation by delving into each director's journey to the screen and exploring the challenges of curating films with unfolding narratives, like The Brittney Griner Story documentary, which is highly anticipated and debuting January 27, 2026, at Sundance.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
His 2026 goals largely build on longstanding challenges facing Denver.
—Jon Murray, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
Saying things out loud for the AI scribe that would typically appear only in a clinical note can create its own set of challenges, particularly during sensitive physical exams.
—Michelle Andrews, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026
Summit speakers explored the current landscape of business and industry across health care, child care, education, manufacturing and development sectors, by discussing trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the region’s economy.
—Marianne Love, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026
At first sight, the final score is all that mattered, this 34-31 wild-card playoff victory over the Carolina Panthers at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium on Saturday proving to be a soul-testing triumph that will provide powerful preparation for the challenges ahead.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Despite the challenges, Alex said the diagnosis ultimately saved them from repeating IVF without answers.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
The seven grants terminated in December supported numerous public health programs, including efforts to prevent sudden unexpected infant death, strengthen pediatric care in rural communities and support teens facing substance use and mental health challenges.
—CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
By including what the workers have discovered about their clients and deconstructing AI training systems from the inside out, Gourault challenges the opacity of automotive businesses that seek to conceal their association with extractive labor practices.
—Farren Fei Yuan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Schedule Policy/Career challenges the idea that partisan policy influence should be permanently insulated from democratic accountability.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit challenges Utah's recent package of laws limiting what books student can access in their school libraries.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Jan. 2026
The collision of opposing perspectives forges art that challenges and confronts, that forces us out of familiar ways of thinking, relating and being.
—Richard P. Weigand, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
Every challenge challenges you to step up, prove your endurance, and learn a crucial lesson.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2026
In repressive regimes, citizen-shot video frequently challenges ruling powers’ narratives.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 29 Jan. 2026
Market share tells a similar story and also challenges the assumption that vehicle electrification would take time to expand from wealthy countries to emerging markets.
—Hengrui Liu, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit challenges 36 boat strikes since September that killed at least 126 people, the first legal case to question their legality under international law.
—Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenges
Noun
-
Heading into the week, Senate GOP leaders were forging ahead with the funding plan, beginning procedural steps Monday to put the full package of bills on the floor later this week despite objections from Democrats.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
In 2015, Suzuki found that Abe’s allies had signed off on the Church’s name change (to the Family Federation) over the objections of other government officials and civic groups.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Advocates say overcrowding is at the center of many of the jail's ongoing problems, from maintenance failures to safety concerns, and argue that recent flooding highlights deeper, long-standing issues.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The problems with that are 1) convincing the Kings to take back long-term salary for Sabonis and 2) the Raptors are nearly $1 million into the luxury tax and would love to get under that threshold before the deadline.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Salley questions a shocked Austen.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Naim questions why Ryan acts so distant in school.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash As the Flynn family fractures under the strain of a failing open marriage and three daughters spiraling into dangerous secrets, their small coastal town is quietly dominated by a powerful shipping magnate no one dares to question.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The Sith, led by Darth Sidious (aka Emperor Palpatine) and Darth Vader, sit at the top of the food chain, but Maul still dares to build a criminal empire in the shadows.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The documents were disclosed under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law enacted after months of public and political pressure that requires the government to open its files on the late financier and his confidante and onetime girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
-
This fast-growing, durable plant is a good choice to stabilize a bank and requires little maintenance.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There are exceptions, including former vice president Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The deans forwarded 54 courses to the university's president, and 48 exceptions were granted.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Courts continue to adjudicate but with growing deference on matters touching the regime’s ideological core.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Advances in technology and social changes move fast and are better understood by younger and middle-aged people, who will be living with the legislative consequences of decisions on these matters for decades to come.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
No serious person disputes that under the current laws of our country, people in the country unlawfully can and will be removed.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Xcel disputes that its equipment started one of the blazes.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Challenges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenges. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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