challenger
Americannoun
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challengers
plural
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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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
See Examples For:
A poll published Monday suggested that Le Pen would easily lead the first round of voting in the elections next year, and would defeat any challenger in the second round run-off to win the Elysee.
From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026
“When I beat him, I’ll be one of the greats in this division, and then the next challenger will come and try to take the belt from me,” Van said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026
He followed Naz in leaving the gym, linking up with one of its greatest exports, three-time world title challenger Herol 'Bomber' Graham.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
Dan J. Sullivan Jr. sudden interest in high office has created a conundrum for 61-year-old Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, who is waging a close battle with Democratic challenger Mary Peltola.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
The tennis challenger starts strong but soon loses confidence in his playing.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, who is fending off his own challengers for the party chair, said on Monday he remained committed to the coalition but would need changes to Merz’s economic plans.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
Some 200 qualifiers from last year's Easdale event and others around the world will compete along with 200 challengers, selected by ballot because the contest is so oversubscribed.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
Richard Neal and Stephen Lynch, who are both in their 70s and have collectively been in office for more than six decades, fended off younger and leftier challengers.
From Slate ● Sep. 2, 2026
The biggest hurdle facing the challengers may be the issue of standing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
It then turned and faced its challengers, let out a terrible roar, and disappeared with its kill.
From "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwamba
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.
