challenger

noun

Definition of challengernext
as in contender
one who strives for the same thing as another the third-party challenger in the presidential election

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 challenger All 16 Florida House incumbents facing primary challengers survived Tuesday, as most state legislative races now turn toward the November general election, where Democrats have fielded challengers in nearly every contest. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 The two other statewide candidates drawing state matching dollars — Attorney General James Uthmeier and his Democratic challenger Jose Javier Rodriguez — will bypass the primary. — Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 Rancho Cordova voters were also set to see a 5th District contest on the ballot, where Budge was running for re-election against two challengers. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Some are ideologically conservative and unlikely to support Raman, while others backed Pratt because of dissatisfaction with the political establishment and could be receptive to a challenger. — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 The key candidates are the incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan and his main challenger, Democrat Mary Peltola. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 18 Aug. 2026 However, the value of the fund’s domestic equity investments fell in 2025 and PIF has retreated from projects like The Line and PGA challenger LIV Golf. — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The heat on the campaign trail escalated this week, which prompted Democratic and Republican House leadership to condemn the antisemitic rhetoric from Fine’s primary challenger. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenger
  1. contender
  2. contestant
  3. competitor
  4. rival
Noun
  • The Wildcats have fallen from annual championship contenders to regular first-round playoff exits.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The trio gives Fort Worth-area football fans what should be a trio of contenders and a ton of high-stakes playoff matchups within a reasonable distance.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of contender
Noun
  • Higgins was joined by Rausch and fellow Season 4 contestants Monét X Change, Tara Lipinski, Lisa Rinna, Rob Cesternino and Eric Nam for the Deadline conversation.
    — The Deadline Team, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The finale features four contestants competing on an American Ninja Warrior–style course, and the other 116 competitors lined up behind them in patriotic jerseys.
    — Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of contestant
Noun
  • Last year, Chinese firms accounted for the vast majority of global android deliveries, far outpacing American competitors like Tesla, Figure AI and Boston Dynamics.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The pharmaceutical giant has sought out new avenues of success with cancer-treatment drugs and to catch up with its competitors, which have dominated the market for weight-loss medications.
    — Sam Jacobs, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of competitor
Noun
  • Apple Music plans to tell you when a song is AI-generated by adding a new label next to tracks, using a different disclosure method than its biggest streaming rival, Spotify.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, the two rivals separately offered a preview of their pitches to win over both urban Kansas City and rural Pettis County.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of rival

Browse Nearby Words

challenged
challenger
challengers
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Cite this Entry

“Challenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenger. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on challenger

Nglish: Translation of challenger for Spanish Speakers

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