as in competitors
one who strives for the same thing as another
the third-party challenger in the presidential election
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Recent Examples of challengers
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
Trump stayed for his side's argument and then walked out shortly after the challengers began making theirs.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 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
To make things right, Stone put both challengers in the match against Jayne at Stand & Deliver.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Moody has the backing of Trump and enters the race as an incumbent with no GOP challengers, giving her structural advantages despite the fundraising gap.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
But lawyers for the challengers say the 1898 court made clear that parents’ residential status was relevant to its decision.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
The challengers' argument Cecilia Wang, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, argued on behalf of those challenging the president's order, three parents with children who would be impacted by the directive.
—Stefan Becket, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Despite significant criticism for her handling of the city’s 2025 wildfires, LA mayor leads in her race for re-election, a new poll shows, in part due to the fact that top-tier challengers decided not to run.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 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
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
To make things right, Stone put both challengers in the match against Jayne at Stand & Deliver.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Moody has the backing of Trump and enters the race as an incumbent with no GOP challengers, giving her structural advantages despite the fundraising gap.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
But lawyers for the challengers say the 1898 court made clear that parents’ residential status was relevant to its decision.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
The challengers' argument Cecilia Wang, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, argued on behalf of those challenging the president's order, three parents with children who would be impacted by the directive.
—Stefan Becket, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Despite significant criticism for her handling of the city’s 2025 wildfires, LA mayor leads in her race for re-election, a new poll shows, in part due to the fact that top-tier challengers decided not to run.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challengers
Noun
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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
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To help resolve these dilemmas, European industry leaders are calling for government support, including subsidies and tax breaks, to level the playing field with Chinese competitors whose products come at unbeatable prices.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The home opener, especially for non-contenders, serves as a window into the season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
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As part of the hackathon competition, all of the contestants were given the same set of data — a batch of AHL games from two seasons ago — to work with.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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The season starts with 16 single contestants, and the last couple standing not only leaves the boat with a new boo, but gets a $100,000 trip around the world.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But much like its rivals, the real season never built up a snow base to push skiing to its normal quality and season.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
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This claim and others have been amplified by rivals.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Challengers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challengers. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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