challenged

[chal-injd]

adjective

1. Often Offensive.,  a euphemism for disabled (usually preceded by an adverb).

2. deficient or lacking (usually preceded by an adverb or noun and used facetiously).

   ethically challenged; math-challenged.

challenged

/ ˈtʃælɪndʒd /

adjective

1. (in combination) disabled or disadvantaged in some way

   physically challenged performers

Sensitive Note

See disabled.

Other Word Forms

• unchallenged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of challenged¹

An Americanism dating back to 1980–85; challenge ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Using this logic, I could almost write “JD Vance kills and eats babies,” and when — justifiably — challenged about it, I could insist it’s not a lie because he kisses babies with his mouth.

From Salon

Repeatedly when those cuts have been challenged in court, the administration has shifted its approach to go after the same or similar funding from a slightly different angle — prompting more litigation.

From Los Angeles Times

The retired investigator has challenged the individual or group responsible for the toddler's disappearance to come forward.

From BBC

That observation - in 1960 - challenged the belief that only humans made and used tools.

From BBC

Her observations challenged years of conventional scientific thinking and shaped the future of evolutionary science.

From BBC

Related Words

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