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

The National Guard was patrolling alongside local police in Memphis last week, while in Portland, troop deployments are on hold after the state of Oregon challenged the move.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Huntington, a town of about 1,900, is especially challenged by limited parking for the people who want to hike Camel’s Hump—the peak featured on the state quarter.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

England know they have not been properly challenged yet, and we will all learn where they are truly at as a team once the top two come to the party.

Read more on BBC

Backup quarterback Mac Jones carved up the defense with quick passes that staved off the pass rush and challenged linebackers and defensive backs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In conversations with clients, the report being challenged as to whether this equity allocation was sufficient, amid concern about the impact on inflation of Fed monetary-policy easing.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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