challenged; challenging
1
: to dispute especially as being unjust, invalid, or outmoded : impugn
new data that challenges old assumptions
2
a
: to confront or defy boldly : dare
he challenged his critics to prove his guilt
b
: to call out to duel or combat
challenged his rival to a duel
c
: to invite into competition
he challenged his brother to a tennis match
3
: to question formally the legality or legal qualifications of
challenge a juror
4
: to arouse or stimulate especially by presenting with difficulties
she wants a job that will challenge her
5
: to order to halt and prove identity
the sentry challenged the stranger
6
: to demand as due or deserved : require
an event that challenges explanation
7
: to administer a physiological (see physiological sense 2) and especially an immunologic challenge to (an organism or cell)
1
: to make or present a challenge
when the appropriate moment challenged, he was capable of … leadership—
C. H. Driver
C. H. Driver2
: to take legal exception
challenger
noun
1
: a stimulating task or problem
looking for new challenges
2
a
: a calling to account or into question : protest
a challenge to unauthorized use of public funds
b
: an exception taken to a juror before the juror is sworn
a challenge of a prospective juror based on a specific cause or reason
c
: a questioning of the right or validity of a vote or voter
d
: a sentry's command to halt and prove identity
The intruder fled at the sentry's challenge.
3
a
: an invitation to compete in a sport
He accepted my challenge to a game of chess.
b
: a summons (see summons entry 1 sense 2) that is often threatening, provocative, stimulating, or inciting
specifically
: a summons to a duel to answer an affront
4
: the act or process of provoking or testing physiological activity by exposure to a specific substance
Examples of challenge in a Sentence
Verb
A number of doctors are challenging the study's claims.
The new lawsuit challenges the lower court's decision.
She's been challenged on her handling of the problem.
None of them were willing to challenge the referee on the call.
It's a game that will challenge a child's imagination.
The work doesn't challenge him anymore, and he's often bored.
Noun
The next major challenge for the company is to improve its distribution capabilities.
Teaching adolescents can be quite a challenge.
The band feels ready for new challenges.
If he takes on the new project he will face the greatest challenge of his career.
Management is seeking ways to better meet the challenge of future growth.
The ski slope offers a high degree of challenge.
Do you accept my challenge to a game of chess?
The senator may face a challenge from within her own party.
Recent Examples on the Web
Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
October’s first quarter moon is here to stir the pot, testing everything from your loyalty to the emotional boundaries that challenge your connections.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
On Saturday, representatives from APEC's 21 member countries acknowledged challenges facing the global trade system and supply chains in a joint declaration.
—Se Eun Gong, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for challenge
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
The same Philadelphia that witnessed the birth of American independence also nurtured competing visions of nationhood—ones that challenged the very foundations of who could claim full citizenship in the republic.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
October’s first quarter moon is here to stir the pot, testing everything from your loyalty to the emotional boundaries that challenge your connections.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
And actually delivering that in the visual medium was quite a challenge, of course.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
On Saturday, representatives from APEC's 21 member countries acknowledged challenges facing the global trade system and supply chains in a joint declaration.
—Se Eun Gong, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for challenge
Cite this Entry
“Challenge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/challenge. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
challenge
1 of 2 verb
chal·lenge
ˈchal-ənj 
challenged; challenging
1
: to order to stop and prove identity
2
a
: to object to as bad or incorrect : dispute
b
: to demand proof that something is right or legal
3
: to invite or dare to take part in a contest
4
: to arouse or stimulate especially by presenting with difficulties
challenger
noun
challenge
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a demand that someone take part in a duel
b
: an invitation or dare for someone to compete in a contest or sport
2
: an objection to something as not being true, genuine, correct, or proper or to a person (as a juror) as not being qualified or approved
3
: a sentry's command to halt and prove identity
4
: a stimulating task or problem
Medical Definition
challenge
1 of 2 transitive verb
chal·lenge
ˈchal-ənj
challenged; challenging
: to administer a physiological and especially an immunologic challenge to (an organism or cell)
challenge
2 of 2 noun
: the process of provoking or testing physiological activity by exposure to a specific substance
especially
: a test of immunity by exposure to an antigen after immunization against it
Legal Definition
challenge
1 of 2 transitive verb
chal·lenge
challenged; challenging
1
: to dispute especially as being invalid or unjust
counsel challenged this interpretation
2
: to question formally (as by a suit or motion) the legality or legal qualifications of
challenge the regulations
especially
: to make a challenge to (a trier of fact)
the grounds for challenging prospective jurors —W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
compare recuse
W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr. challenge
2 of 2 noun1
: a calling into question
especially
: a questioning of validity or legality : objection
when the challenge to the statute is in effect a challenge of this basic assumption —Kramer v. Union Free School Dist. No. 15, 395 U.S. 621 (1969)
see also batson challenge
Kramer v. Union Free School Dist. No. 15, 395 U.S. 621 (1969) 2
: a request to disqualify a trier of fact (as a jury member or judge) compare recusal, strike
—
challenge for cause
: a challenge especially of a prospective juror based on a specific and stated cause or reason
—
challenge to the array
: a challenge of an entire jury that raises objections to the selection process
—
peremptory challenge
: a challenge especially of a prospective juror that does not require a stated cause or reason
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