as in contender
one who strives for the same thing as another
the third-party challenger in the presidential election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of challenger
Roy, the deputy state attorney general and the most well-funded of three challengers in the June 2 city primary election, recently told the city attorney’s union that the city’s lawyers should only have to show up at the office two days a month, not counting court appearances.
—
Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Eleven days after its season ended with a loss to national title challenger South Carolina, the USC women’s basketball team is now dealing with personnel losses.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
The faster Price dominated and could afford to hold back in the 10th and final round for the unanimous decision, but Puerto Rican challenger Pineiro contributed to an entertaining bout.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Trump stayed for his side's argument and then walked out shortly after the challengers began making theirs.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
But his challenger’s wheel settled right next to the feather.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
West, alongside his partners Raheem Sealey and Mark Wint who own Drinking Pig BBQ in Coconut Grove, competed for the chance to run a restaurant out of the historic People’s Bar-B-Q in Overtown, beating out two other challengers.
—Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
This double-digit growth positions the $98-per-year service as a formidable challenger to Amazon Prime, leaning heavily on delivery speed and new streaming partnerships.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026
To make things right, Stone put both challengers in the match against Jayne at Stand & Deliver.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Eleven days after its season ended with a loss to national title challenger South Carolina, the USC women’s basketball team is now dealing with personnel losses.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
The faster Price dominated and could afford to hold back in the 10th and final round for the unanimous decision, but Puerto Rican challenger Pineiro contributed to an entertaining bout.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Trump stayed for his side's argument and then walked out shortly after the challengers began making theirs.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
But his challenger’s wheel settled right next to the feather.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
West, alongside his partners Raheem Sealey and Mark Wint who own Drinking Pig BBQ in Coconut Grove, competed for the chance to run a restaurant out of the historic People’s Bar-B-Q in Overtown, beating out two other challengers.
—Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
This double-digit growth positions the $98-per-year service as a formidable challenger to Amazon Prime, leaning heavily on delivery speed and new streaming partnerships.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026
To make things right, Stone put both challengers in the match against Jayne at Stand & Deliver.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenger
Noun
-
The first debate between presidential candidates occurred on May 17, 1948, when Republican contenders Thomas Dewey and Harold Stassen matched wits.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Voters, including myself, had to select seven artists from the record-tying 17 on the shortlist, the majority of them being contenders for the first time.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Someone handed the contestant, now with the blindfold removed, a giant check.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The show starts with 16 single contestants, where four are coupled up, and the rest are single.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the first episode’s Elimination Challenge‚ which was focused on North Carolina’s state vegetable, sweet potatoes — Cochran cooked up a pork loin in the kitchen at La Belle Helene that wasn’t quite cooked through, landing her in the bottom three competitors.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The criticism has only grown louder during the build to WrestleMania 42, with her feud against Ripley drawing significant attention due to the level of both competitors involved.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Breaking a trend of players from his area who often choose the Wolverines' biggest rivals in East Lansing, Trey set his sights on Ann Arbor.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But the entire episode proved a huge fundraising boon to Schiff, who pulled away from his rivals in the Senate primary and easily won the general election.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Challenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenger. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
