Challenge — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈcha-lənj/ chal·lenge

Meaning & Definition of Challenge

Challenge (verb)

  1. to dispute especially as being unjust, invalid, or outmoded, impugn
  2. to confront or defy boldly, dare
  3. to call out to duel or combat

Challenge (noun)

  1. a difficult task or problem
  2. a task or activity whose difficulty provides enjoyable intellectual or physical stimulation; also, something that provides such stimulation
  3. a calling to account or into question, protest; specifically, law, a questioning of validity or legality

Challenge (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent

    "there were no serious challenges to the legislative bill, so it passed easily"

    similar: complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss, kick, objection, protest, question, remonstrance, stink
    related: compunction, doubt, misgiving, qualm, scruple, misunderstanding, cavil, niggle (chiefly British), quibble, argument, conflict, debate, dispute, dissent, hassle, quarrel, squabble, static, censure, criticism, defiance, disobedience, rebellion, distrust, distrustfulness, dubiety, dubitation (archaic), incertitude, indetermination, misdoubt, mistrust, mistrustfulness, reservation, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainty, qualmishness, unease, uneasiness, reluctance, unwillingness
    near: willingness, approval, sanction, acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent, compliance, obedience

  2. something that requires thought and skill for resolution

    "the many challenges facing developing countries in the 21st century"

    similar: case, knot, matter, nut, problem, trouble
    related: issue, question, corner, fix, hole, hot water, jam, mire, pickle, predicament, quagmire, spot, crux, Gordian knot, sticky wicket, toughie, catch-22, dilemma, quandary, catch, glitch, hitch, pitfall, snag, conundrum, enigma, mystery, puzzle, puzzlement, riddle, brainteaser, poser, stumper
    opposite: answer, solution
    near: magic bullet, silver bullet, cure-all, panacea

Challenge (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to demand proof of the truth or rightness of

    "don't hesitate to challenge any statement that generalizes about people"

    similar: contest, dispute, impeach, oppugn, query, question, call in question
    related: doubt, mistrust, kick (about), object (to), protest, combat, fight, oppose, resist
    opposite: accept, believe, embrace, swallow
    near: back, defend, support, advocate, champion, promote, abide, endure, stomach, tolerate

  2. to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat

    "I challenge you to swim to the other side of the pond"

    similar: dare, defy, stump
    related: beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, face, outbrave, outface

  3. to have as a requirement

    "having to put up with an overbearing boss challenges forbearance"

    similar: bear, claim, demand, necessitate, need, require, take, want, warrant, call for
    related: entail, involve, ask, beg, clamor (for), cry (for), hurt (for), lack, command, enjoin, exact, insist, press, quest, stipulate
    opposite: have, hold
    near: own, possess

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Challenge

The most common words with a similar meaning to Challenge:

complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss, kick, objection, protest, question, remonstrance, stink, case, knot, matter, nut, problem, trouble, contest, dispute, impeach, oppugn, query, dare, defy, stump, bear, claim, demand, necessitate, need, require, take, want, warrant, call in question, call for

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Challenge

Words with the opposite meaning of Challenge:

answer, solution, accept, believe, embrace, swallow, have, hold

Related Words for Challenge

compunction, doubt, misgiving, qualm, scruple, misunderstanding, cavil, niggle, quibble, argument, conflict, debate, dissent, hassle, quarrel, squabble, static, censure, criticism, defiance, disobedience, rebellion, distrust, distrustfulness, dubiety, dubitation, incertitude, indetermination, misdoubt, mistrust

Near Antonyms of Challenge

willingness, approval, sanction, acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent, compliance, obedience, magic bullet, silver bullet, cure-all, panacea, back, defend, support, advocate, champion, promote, abide, endure, stomach, tolerate, own, possess

Word Forms of Challenge

Inflections: challenged, challenging

Derived words: challenger (noun), challengeable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Challenge

Middle English chalengen to accuse, from Anglo-French chalenger, from Latin calumniari to accuse falsely, from calumnia calumny

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Challenge

Words & Phrases Containing Challenge

challenge coin, peremptory challenge, rise to the challenge, rise to the occasion/challenge

Frequently Asked Questions about Challenge

What does "Challenge" mean?

"Challenge" means to dispute especially as being unjust, invalid, or outmoded, impugn. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to dispute especially as being unjust, invalid, or outmoded, impugn. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Challenge"?

Other words for "Challenge" include complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation and fuss. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Challenge" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Challenge"?

There are 140 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Challenge". Common alternatives include complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss, kick and objection.

What is the opposite of "Challenge"?

Antonyms of "Challenge" include answer, solution, accept, believe, embrace, swallow, have and hold. Near antonyms include willingness, approval, sanction and acceptance.

How do you use "Challenge" in a sentence?

Examples of "Challenge" in a sentence: "there were no serious challenges to the legislative bill, so it passed easily"; "the many challenges facing developing countries in the 21st century"; "don't hesitate to challenge any statement that generalizes about people".

Is "Challenge" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Challenge" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Challenge" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Challenge" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Challenge"?

"Challenge" is pronounced /ˈcha-lənj/ and divided into syllables as chal·lenge.