Synonyms

challenger

American

[chal-in-jer] / ˈtʃæl ɪn dʒər /

noun

a person or thing that challenges.
Boxing. a boxer who fights a champion for his championship title.
Radio. interrogator.
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

Etymology

Origin of challenger

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

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.

With challengers unable to reach voters, and citizen groups unable to speak, the advantages of incumbent politicians, who can command media attention without paid advertising, would have grown even greater.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Bullet struggled in last year's Premier League after a nine-year hiatus, bar one challenger appearance.

From BBC

The American challenger, who accepted the bout on just 15 days' notice, caused swelling under Serrano's right eye with an overhand left in the fifth.

From BBC

Even if the challengers ultimately prevail and obtain a final legal judgment that the deportation policy is illegal, the deportations that have occurred in the meantime may be irreversible.

From The Wall Street Journal

Germany's Alexander Zverev is the nearest challenger in terms of ranking and has long been predicted to win a Grand Slam.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023