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challenger

/ˈtʃælɪndʒər/
/ˈtʃælɛndʒə/
IPA guide

Other forms: challengers

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.

Definitions of challenger
  1. noun
    the contestant you hope to defeat
    see moresee less
    types:
    champ, champion, title-holder
    someone who has won first place in a competition
    comer
    someone with a promising future
    finalist
    a contestant who reaches the final stages of a competition
    enemy, foe, nemesis
    a personal enemy
    favorite, favourite, front-runner
    a competitor thought likely to win
    king, queen, world-beater
    a competitor who holds a preeminent position
    runner-up, second best
    the competitor who finishes second
    scratch
    a competitor who has withdrawn from competition
    semifinalist
    one of four competitors remaining in a tournament by elimination
    street fighter
    a contestant who is very aggressive and willing to use underhand methods
    tier
    any one of two or more competitors who tie one another
    tilter
    someone who engages in a tilt or joust
    mortal enemy
    an enemy who wants to kill you
    record-breaker, record-holder
    someone or something recognized for having done something better, faster, or to a greater degree than anyone else
    type of:
    contestant
    a person who participates in competitions
Pronunciation
US
/ˈtʃælɪndʒər/
UK
/ˈtʃælɛndʒə/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘challenger'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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