Challenge

/ˈt͡ʃæl.ɪnd͡ʒ/ noun, verb

noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A confrontation; a dare.; An antagonization or instigation intended to convince a person to perform an action they otherwise would not.
  • Grammar: challenge is listed as noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: academic dissent, academic dissent case, adversity, affront.
  • Useful contrasts: nonmoving premise, forcefully defended position, accept.
  • Usage evidence: I don't mean to challenge your theory.

How to use "challenge"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "challenge" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "challenge" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "challenge" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "challenge" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "challenge" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "academic dissent" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "challenge", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A confrontation; a dare.; An antagonization or instigation intended to convince a person to perform an action they otherwise would not.

    "Congratulations on managing to use the phrase “preponderant criterion” in a chart (“On your marks”, November 9th). Was this the work of a kakorrhaphiophobic journalist set a challenge by his colleagues, or simply an example of glossolalia?"

  2. 2
    a demand by a sentry for a password or identification wordnet
  3. 3
    A confrontation; a dare.; A bid to overcome something.

    "a challenge to the king's authority"

  4. 4
    questioning a statement and demanding an explanation wordnet
  5. 5
    A confrontation; a dare.; An attempt to take possession; a tackle.

    "Argentine midfielder Jonas Gutierrez added a superb second when he surged past four challenges to fire in low."

Show 12 more definitions
  1. 6
    a formal objection to the selection of a particular person as a juror wordnet
  2. 7
    A confrontation; a dare.; A summons to fight a duel; also, the letter or message conveying the summons.
  3. 8
    a call to engage in a contest or fight wordnet
  4. 9
    A confrontation; a dare.; The act of a sentry in halting a person and demanding the countersign, or (by extension) the action of a computer system demanding a password, etc.

    "The somewhat-shattered San Francisco also managed to make it out, although not before she'd come within seconds of being blown out of the water by Helena, as the two had lost contact in the dark and the flagship had loomed back out of the murk with no one and nothing available to answer the light cruiser's challenge - the radio, the whistle, the signal lights, the flags, et cetera, had all been destroyed. Luckily, one of the few surviving signalmen found a small handheld signal light and managed to blink out the ship's hull number."

  5. 10
    a demanding or stimulating situation wordnet
  6. 11
    A confrontation; a dare.; An attempt to have a work of literature restricted or removed from a public library or school curriculum.
  7. 12
    A difficult task, especially one that the person making the attempt finds more enjoyable because of that difficulty.
  8. 13
    A procedure or action.; The act of appealing a ruling or decision of a court of administrative agency.
  9. 14
    A procedure or action.; A judge's interest in the result of a case, constituting grounds for them to not be allowed to sit the case (e.g., a conflict of interest). rare

    "Consanguinity in direct line is a challenge for a judge when he or she is sitting cases."

  10. 15
    A procedure or action.; The act of seeking to remove a judge, arbitrator, or other judicial or semi-judicial figure for reasons of alleged bias or incapacity.

    "We're still waiting to hear how the court rules on our challenge of the arbitrator based on conflict of interest."

  11. 16
    A procedure or action.; An act of seeking to have a certain person be declared not legally qualified to vote, made when the person offers their ballot. US
  12. 17
    The opening and crying of hounds upon first finding the scent of their game.
Verb
  1. 1
    To invite (someone) to take part in a competition. transitive

    "We challenged the boys next door to a game of football."

  2. 2
    raise a formal objection in a court of law wordnet
  3. 3
    To dare (someone). transitive

    "[...] For I challenge any Man to make any pretence to Power by Right of Fatherhood, either intelligible or poſſible in any one, otherwiſe, then either as Adams heir, or as Progenitor over his own deſcendants, naturally ſprung from him."

  4. 4
    ask for identification wordnet
  5. 5
    To dispute (something); to contest. transitive

    "to challenge the accuracy of a statement or of a quotation"

Show 10 more definitions
  1. 6
    issue a challenge to wordnet
  2. 7
    To call something into question or dispute.

    "New information challenged old hypotheses."

  3. 8
    take exception to wordnet
  4. 9
    To make a formal objection to a juror. transitive
  5. 10
    To be difficult or challenging for. transitive

    "Before moving onto the content of Hobson-Jobson, an explication of the publication history is necessary since this has clearly challenged many commentators."

  6. 11
    To claim as due; to demand as a right. obsolete, transitive

    "Challenge better terms."

  7. 12
    To censure; to blame. obsolete, transitive

    "I may be more challenged for my inconsiderate Boldness"

  8. 13
    To question or demand the countersign from (one who attempts to pass the lines). transitive

    "The sentinel challenged us with "Who goes there?""

  9. 14
    To object to the reception of the vote of, e.g. on the ground that the person is not qualified as a voter. US, transitive
  10. 15
    To take (a final exam) in order to get credit for a course without taking it. Canada, US, transitive

    "I mean if you go in and want to challenge an exam it cost you half of your course money. If you don't pass the exam, that money is credited toward taking the course. What have you got to lose to challenge an exam, or do a competency exam?"

Synonyms

All synonyms
academic dissentacademic dissent caseadversityaffrontaffrontingaffronts

Antonyms

nonmoving premiseforcefully defended positionacceptacceptance

Example

"I don't mean to challenge your theory."

Common questions

What does "challenge" mean?

A confrontation; a dare.; An antagonization or instigation intended to convince a person to perform an action they otherwise would not.

What is a synonym for "challenge"?

Common synonyms include: academic dissent, academic dissent case, adversity, affront, affronting, affronts.

How do you use "challenge" in a sentence?

I don't mean to challenge your theory.

How do you pronounce "challenge"?

Pronounced /ˈt͡ʃæl.ɪnd͡ʒ/.

Etymology

From Middle English chalenge, variant with palatalization of Middle English kalange (“an accusation, claim”), from Old French chalenge, chalonge, palatalized Central French variants of Old Northern French calenge, calonge (see Continental Norman calengier), from Latin calumnia (“a false accusation, calumny”). Cognate with Old English hōl (“calumny”). Doublet of calumny.

More for "challenge"

Synonyms

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