challenger
Americannoun
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a person or thing that challenges.
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Boxing. a boxer who fights a champion for his championship title.
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Radio. interrogator.
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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
Etymology
Origin of challenger
Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at challenge, -er 1
Explanation
Challengers don’t let things stay the way they are, they go against something already in place, like a rule or the score on the scoreboard. Or they go after the same thing you may want, like victory in a competition or even the parking spot you were waiting for. In earlier history, during the Middle Ages, a challenger was mostly a dreaded foe or someone who wanted to fight to the death with a sword. Some challengers want to challenge the truth or rightness of something, and that can be pretty serious too. In modern times, though, the word challenger often describes competitors who want to challenge each other in sports, on TV game shows, or in arguments. These challengers enjoy the challenge itself.
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.
The filings show City Controller Kenneth Mejia has a far smaller war chest than challenger Zach Sokoloff, who is on sabbatical from his role as a senior vice president at Hackman Capital Partners.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
The Republican primary in the state’s Fourth Congressional District is a contest between seven-term incumbent and MIT graduate Rep. Thomas Massie and challenger Ed Gallrein, a farmer and former U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
Rayner, who is also seen as a potential challenger to Sir Keir, told the Guardian newspaper she did not rule out running in any Labour leadership race but said she would not "trigger" a contest.
From BBC • May 14, 2026
Streeting is popular on the right of Labour, while a would-be challenger on the left could be former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
The tennis challenger starts strong but soon loses confidence in his playing.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
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.
