challenged
Americanadjective
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Often Offensive. a euphemism for disabled (usually preceded by an adverb).
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deficient or lacking (usually preceded by an adverb or noun and used facetiously).
ethically challenged; math-challenged.
adjective
Sensitive Note
See disabled.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of challenged
An Americanism dating back to 1980–85; challenge ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chinese-owned TikTok has, however, challenged the lower court's 2024 ruling.
From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026
Klee’s “National Socialist Revolution Drawings”—childlike works merging abstraction and expressionism—also challenged the Führer’s demand for “realism” that glorifies the Nordic‑German ideal of beauty.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026
Norway's football federation abstained and argued the bidding process undermined "Fifa's reforms for good governance" and challenged "trust in Fifa".
From BBC • Jul. 6, 2026
And though the Dodgers challenged, the call was upheld.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2026
Besides, Alan never would’ve challenged Trey if he weren’t my brother.
From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
