challenger

A person or group trying to defeat someone or question their position.

• The mayor faces a strong challenger.
• Two challengers entered the race for party leader.
• This small company is a serious challenger to the market leader.

How to use it: a challenger to someone/something (She is the strongest challenger to the current mayor.)

Similar words: competitor, rival, opponent

Common phrases: serious challenger, main challenger, challenger to someone

Someone competing against the current champion to try to win their title.

• The challenger won the first round.
• The champion defeated her challenger in straight sets.
• Three challengers hope to take his title this year.

How to use it: a challenger for something (The young boxer is a challenger for the world title.)

Similar words: contender, opponent

Common phrases: title challenger, world title challenger, challenger to someone

Someone who questions or opposes an idea, belief, rule, or way of doing things.

• She was a challenger of unfair rules.
• Challengers of traditional attitudes demanded a public debate.
• The movement attracted young challengers of established authority.

How to use it: a challenger of something (He became a challenger of long-established beliefs.)

Similar words: critic, opponent

Common phrases: challenger of something, challenger to something