challenge

verb
chal·​lenge | \ ˈcha-lənj How to pronounce challenge (audio) \
challenged; challenging

Definition of challenge

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to dispute especially as being unjust, invalid, or outmoded : impugn new data that challenges old assumptions
2a : 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)

intransitive verb

1 : to make or present a challenge when the appropriate moment challenged, he was capable of … leadership— C. H. Driver
2 : to take legal exception

challenge

noun

Definition of challenge (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a stimulating task or problem looking for new challenges
2a : 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.
3a : 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 especially : a test of immunity by exposure to an antigen

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Other Words from challenge

Verb

challenger noun
challengeable \ ˈcha-​lən-​jə-​bəl How to pronounce challengeable (audio) \ adjective

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Science works by inviting others to challenge ideas. BostonGlobe.com, "Should we use genetic engineering to prevent Lyme disease?," 23 Aug. 2019 Judges James Ho and Andrew Oldham penned a joint dissent to challenge not just the majority, but Willett as well. Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Conservative Judges Are Brawling Over Originalism," 22 Aug. 2019 Advocates have vowed to challenge the rule in court, which will put the change in front of U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee, who denied the administration's request last year to extend family detentions. cleveland.com, "Trump administration moves to terminate court agreement, hold migrant children and parents longer," 21 Aug. 2019 Rifkin has set high goals for the team herself, expressing a desire to challenge defending Orange Coast League champion Calvary Chapel for the crown this season. Andrew Turner, Daily Pilot, "Costa Mesa girls’ volleyball sweeps Godinez in home opener," 20 Aug. 2019 That adrenaline surge for the Bears was a gut punch to the Colts, who dared to challenge one of the game’s most electric playmakers and quickly came to regret it. Dan Wiederer, chicagotribune.com, "'Please let them kick it to me!’: The oral history of Devin Hester’s Super Bowl XLI kickoff return touchdown — and the coverage team that dared to stop him," 19 Aug. 2019 The strongest plot line involves the Wood Wu, Alec McCullough (Tommy Flanagan, Sons of Anarchy), a Scottish crime lord who wants to challenge Uncle Six for control of Chinatown. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Review: Fight scenes are the only bright spot in grim, joyless Wu Assassins," 19 Aug. 2019 Meanwhile, lawyers for Planned Parenthood and EMW have filed a motion asking that the state be forced to pay its legal expenses of nearly $1.5 million to challenge the law. Deborah Yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services denies Planned Parenthood abortion license," 16 Aug. 2019 The vote was bitterly disputed by Republicans, who tried unsuccessfully during the board meeting to challenge the Democrats' move in court, only to be denied by a judge. Detroit Free Press, "Democrat Dave Coulter, mayor of Ferndale, named Oakland County executive," 16 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Atlantic moves to Class 7A and a new district and is the clear favorite to get through the district without much of a challenge. Gary Curreri, sun-sentinel.com, "Projecting how Palm Beach teams will fare this season -- district-by-district for Classes 8A-5A; by region for 4A-1A," 23 Aug. 2019 Schnakers said part of the challenge is finding patients to participate in their experiments, even though California has about 125 subacute units housing more than 4,000 people on life support. Los Angeles Times, "For months, he lingered in a purgatory between wakefulness and nothingness," 22 Aug. 2019 And that doesn't bode well for any of the more serious disinformation challenges yet to come. Paris Martineau, WIRED, "Why People Keep Falling for Viral Hoaxes," 22 Aug. 2019 Indeed, for a guy who has long made a life and career out of taking on his share of