as in contender
one who strives for the same thing as another
the third-party challenger in the presidential election
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of challenger
His two challengers, Francisco Tamayo and Yair Gersten, come from more Democratic backgrounds, setting up a race that could reshape the ideological balance at City Hall.
—
Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
There is something comforting, to me, about this churn of champions and challengers.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Faced with a primary challenger and pressure from one of the most powerful Democrats in the country, Ferguson held the line against gerrymandering.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026
Cunningham drew the most serious primary challenger of her career this year.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
In their search for a primary challenger to Massie, the president’s allies eventually settled on Gallrein, who had not previously run for political office.
—Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
Amazon also received an exemption for future routers for the company’s Starlink challenger, Leo.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
Kean does not face any challengers in the Republican primary slated for June 2.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Several strong party challengers, backed by Democratic dollars, were also vying for the nomination in the May primaries.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
There is something comforting, to me, about this churn of champions and challengers.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Faced with a primary challenger and pressure from one of the most powerful Democrats in the country, Ferguson held the line against gerrymandering.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026
Cunningham drew the most serious primary challenger of her career this year.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
In their search for a primary challenger to Massie, the president’s allies eventually settled on Gallrein, who had not previously run for political office.
—Russell Berman, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2026
Amazon also received an exemption for future routers for the company’s Starlink challenger, Leo.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
Kean does not face any challengers in the Republican primary slated for June 2.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Several strong party challengers, backed by Democratic dollars, were also vying for the nomination in the May primaries.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenger
Noun
-
The Knicks now move on and remain a contender in the Eastern Conference.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez is a lead contender to replace Morales, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Six contestants will be forced to stay awake for 48 hours while enduring intense and nonstop challenges.—
Scott Huver,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2026
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Hernández’s introduction note among the MGI All Stars contestants highlighted her personal story of resilience and persistence.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Shaffir hosted This Is Not Happening for three seasons before exiting the series under contentious circumstances, after deciding to sell a special to Comedy Central’s competitor, Netflix.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Anthropic overtook its competitor this week, surging to an approximate $1 trillion valuation.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Beating their cross-state rivals — a similarly surprising playoff team — is one thing.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Directed by Juan Pablo Arias Munoz, a prodigal daughter rejoins her family at their farm during a difficult time, as her ailing father faces both a terminal diagnosis and mounting pressure from rivals.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Challenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenger. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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