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Definition of challenger

challenger

/ˈtʃæl.ɪn.dʒɚ/
chal · len · ger
Adverb:challengingly
•
Plural:challengers
•
Adjective:challenging
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challenger Lexical Profile

challenger Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person or group that competes against a defending champion, incumbent officeholder, or established leader in a contest, election, or market.

Example

"The young challenger surprised analysts by polling evenly with the three-term incumbent."

2

A person who formally disputes, questions, or objects to the validity, truth, or legality of a claim, rule, or decision.

Example

"Each political party appointed an official challenger to monitor the verification of absentee ballots."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

challenge
challengeable
challenged
challenger
challenging
challengingly
chalta

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived in Middle English from Old French 'chalongier', ultimately from Latin 'calumniari' (to accuse falsely), combined with the agentive suffix '-er'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Challenger. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/challenger
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