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.
Another systematic review found exercises which challenged participants’ balance reduced fall rates by roughly 23%.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
Twenty-five U.S. states then challenged these levies at the U.S.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
"Where water companies seek to pass unnecessary costs onto households, they will be challenged," he said.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
He first attracted attention in 2017 as Lord Buckethead, when he challenged then-prime minister Theresa May in the general election.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
Fabyan hated to be challenged, and he had a terrible temper.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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.
