challenger

[chal-in-jer]

noun

1. a person or thing that challenges.

2. Boxing.,  a boxer who fights a champion for his championship title.

3. Radio.,  interrogator.

4. U.S. Aerospace.,  none Challenger the second space shuttle to orbit and return to earth: exploded 1½ min. after launch on Jan. 28, 1986, causing the death of all seven on board.

Other Word Forms

• nonchallenger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of challenger¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; challenge, -er ¹

Example Sentences

But conservative challengers sued, arguing that using race as a central factor, even to fix a proven racial imbalance. constitutes an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.

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But politically, it just doesn't feel at this moment that they are the government's hungry main challengers.

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Asked if United were title challengers, she added: "I see many teams being real competition for us, every game brings a different challenge. You have to be ready for every game."

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Defending champions Australia are undoubtedly the favourites, while India's rapid improvement over the last two years sees them as the closest challengers, especially on home soil.

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It is very early days, of course, but this felt like a timely test of Arsenal's credentials as title challengers that the Gunners found a way to pass.

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Related Words

• contender