challenge

Something difficult that requires effort, skill, or courage to do.

• This puzzle is a challenge.
• Starting a new job brings many challenges.
• Are you ready for the challenge of living abroad?

How to use it: the challenge of doing something (She enjoys the challenge of learning a new language.); a challenge for someone (The long climb was a challenge for everyone.)

Similar words: test, difficult task

Common phrases: face a challenge, meet a challenge, major challenge

An invitation to compete against someone or fight them.

• He accepted my challenge.
• She issued a challenge to the chess champion.
• They refused his challenge to a public debate.

How to use it: a challenge to do something (He accepted her challenge to race across the field.); a challenge to someone (The champion issued a challenge to all his rivals.)

Similar words: dare

Common phrases: accept a challenge, issue a challenge, challenge to someone

An attempt to defeat someone or weaken their power or control.

• The strike presents a challenge to government power.
• She mounted a challenge to the party leader.
• His challenge to the throne failed.

How to use it: challenge to something (The protest was a challenge to his leadership.)

Similar words: opposition

Common phrases: challenge to authority, mount a challenge

A legal request to remove a judge or similar official because they may be unfair or unable to serve.

• The lawyer filed a challenge to the judge.
• Their challenge alleged that the arbitrator was biased.
• The court heard two challenges based on conflicts of interest.

How to use it: challenge to someone (The court rejected the challenge to the arbitrator.)

Similar words: recusal request

Common phrases: challenge to someone, challenge of someone

To make someone use their skills or effort to deal with something difficult.

• This puzzle will challenge you.
• The course challenged even the strongest students.
• Her new job challenges her technical skills.

Similar words: test, stretch

Common phrases: challenge someone, challenge someone intellectually

To say that something may be wrong, unfair, or untrue.

• She challenged the decision.
• The lawyer challenged his account of the accident.
• These findings challenge our assumptions about sleep.

Similar words: question, dispute, contest

Opposites: accept

Common phrases: challenge a decision, challenge something in, challenge an assumption, challenge a belief

To invite someone to compete or fight against you.

• I challenge you to a game of chess.
• He challenged his brother to a race.
• Who dared to challenge the champion?

How to use it: challenge someone to something (Lena challenged me to a race.)

Common phrases: challenge someone to, challenge a rival