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
Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2026
The company said recent outages were primarily the result of severe weather and equipment challenges, both of which will be addressed by the reliability improvement project.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Elsewhere, tensions rise across the Crossing as relationships are tested and new challenges emerge.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
To address these challenges, researchers from the SIM Group at Germany's Technical University of Darmstadt created Athena, an autonomous, rugged, and modular search-and-rescue robot built on open hardware.
—New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
Despite such challenges, Gillespie remained charming and playful onstage.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
The Warriors traded away Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta for Kristaps Porzingis at the trade deadline, yet the big man also had his health challenges that limited his availability.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Excellent way to put those challenges into a sentence.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
By enabling machines to evaluate and manage trust dynamically, this approach addresses one of the most critical challenges in modern robotics and artificial intelligence.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
This series, based on a true story, explores the life of Molly Kochan (Michelle Williams), a woman living with terminal cancer who navigates her illness and childhood trauma, blending comedy and profound honesty in a way that challenges traditional narratives around death and sexuality.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, DC, on April 6, challenges a recent Justice Department memorandum declaring the Presidential Records Act unconstitutional.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
While District 5 will also be up for re-election as Linda Ponce, 60, challenges incumbent Theresa Le, 29.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 7 Apr. 2026
Ramos is eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and applied, but the program remains halted for new applicants after a yearlong battle in court that challenges the program.
—Armando Garcia, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Bethany takes the explosive event as a sign to ditch her baggage, reunite with childhood friend Nel (Lena Góra), and traipse across lofts, clubs, and back alleys, all the while becoming entangled in an emotional web that challenges her sense of self.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2026
This adds load and intensity but still challenges your balance and core strength.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 6 Apr. 2026
As a circa-1917 historic course, El Campeón challenges golfers with its elevation changes and water hazards.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
Punjabi immigrants faced challenges when integrating into California farm communities in the early 1900s, accentuated by laws that restricted immigration from Asia, closed paths to citizenship and barred noncitizens from landownership.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2026
The company said recent outages were primarily the result of severe weather and equipment challenges, both of which will be addressed by the reliability improvement project.
—Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Elsewhere, tensions rise across the Crossing as relationships are tested and new challenges emerge.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
To address these challenges, researchers from the SIM Group at Germany's Technical University of Darmstadt created Athena, an autonomous, rugged, and modular search-and-rescue robot built on open hardware.
—New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
Despite such challenges, Gillespie remained charming and playful onstage.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
The Warriors traded away Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to Atlanta for Kristaps Porzingis at the trade deadline, yet the big man also had his health challenges that limited his availability.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Excellent way to put those challenges into a sentence.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
By enabling machines to evaluate and manage trust dynamically, this approach addresses one of the most critical challenges in modern robotics and artificial intelligence.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Plank Kickthrough challenges the core and is a great way to perform abdominal work alongside a workout buddy.
—Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
This series, based on a true story, explores the life of Molly Kochan (Michelle Williams), a woman living with terminal cancer who navigates her illness and childhood trauma, blending comedy and profound honesty in a way that challenges traditional narratives around death and sexuality.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, DC, on April 6, challenges a recent Justice Department memorandum declaring the Presidential Records Act unconstitutional.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
While District 5 will also be up for re-election as Linda Ponce, 60, challenges incumbent Theresa Le, 29.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 7 Apr. 2026
Ramos is eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and applied, but the program remains halted for new applicants after a yearlong battle in court that challenges the program.
—Armando Garcia, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Bethany takes the explosive event as a sign to ditch her baggage, reunite with childhood friend Nel (Lena Góra), and traipse across lofts, clubs, and back alleys, all the while becoming entangled in an emotional web that challenges her sense of self.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2026
This adds load and intensity but still challenges your balance and core strength.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 6 Apr. 2026
As a circa-1917 historic course, El Campeón challenges golfers with its elevation changes and water hazards.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenges
Noun
-
Parliament Speaker Aung Lin Dwe said the appointments of 30 ministers were approved with no objections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Since the initial news of Gatewood’s filing with the IG, speculation regarding the content of the complaint has focused on ShotSpotter, the gunshot-detection technology formerly employed in parts of the city, which Johnson ended in the fall of 2024 over the objections of a majority of aldermen.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hidden streaks of fat hiding between and within muscle fibers can signal serious health problems, said Akkaya, the lead author of a new study that analyzed how ultraprocessed food impacts intramuscular fat in people at risk for knee osteoporosis.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
These are the root problems that can disrupt traffic at any moment, anywhere.—
Yunus Emre Tozal,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Memo from the Hill Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) questions former Special Counsel Jack Smith during a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, in Washington, DC on January 22, 2026.—
Josephine Rozzelle,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
-
By the way, if anyone questions whether this is a rebuild, consider Aikman’s words.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
People demand consistent application of laws that are riddled with subjective anomalies, then bemoan a lack of common sense whenever an official dares to interpret a rule too literally.—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
And maybe one of those records was… The bard of New England dares to get meaningful on this two-part song, which begins by pondering the mysteries of time and ends with a singalong ode to seasonal renewal.—
Brett Milano,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There are many different types of crabgrass (Digitaria spp), but getting rid of them requires the same approach, says Waltz.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
-
This requires careful monitoring of key parameters such as sugar and acidity from veraison through to harvest.—
Maureen Mackey , Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ordinance, unanimously adopted by the City Council on March 17, clamps down on height exceptions for residential buildings and revises the process for considering high-volume drive-thru restaurants, to allow for more council oversight.—
Rose Evans
April 12,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Apr. 2026
-
All meals and drinks (with some exceptions; see below) are included on Evrima.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For novel products like these, education matters.—
Jaia Clingham-David,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Apr. 2026
-
These guys have no real experience in diplomacy, and to make matters even more difficult, our own King George III is not any more reasonable than the original 18th century model.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Google disputes the results and notes that Oumi used the SimpleQA benchmark, an AI test developed by OpenAI that contains incorrect information in its own right.—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In the settlement agreement, RTD disputes Fitzgerald's claims, but agrees to settle the lawsuit to avoid future litigation.—
Laura Phillips,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Challenges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenges. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
