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challenge

A challenge is something that puts you to the test — like running your first marathon or reading "War and Peace."

Challenge, as a verb, is derived from a Latin word meaning "to accuse falsely," and it is still used much as it was in the 13th century, in the sense of questioning whether something is true or right. Students sometimes challenge a weeknight curfew, and lawyers might challenge the evidence submitted by the other side in a lawsuit. Challenge is also used as a noun for a competition in which people challenge one another to prove that they’re the best at something.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: challenge

1	n v	a call to engage in a contest or fight issue a challenge to
2	v n	take exception to questioning a statement and demanding an explanation
3	v n	raise a formal objection in a court of law a formal objection to the selection of a particular person as a juror
4	n v	a demand by a sentry for a password or identification ask for identification
5	n	a demanding or stimulating situation

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: challenge

n a call to engage in a contest or fight

Types:: show 7 types...; hide 7 types...; dare, daring
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy; confrontation
a bold challenge; call-out
a challenge to a fight or duel; defiance
a hostile challenge; calling into question, demand for explanation
a challenge to defend what someone has said; demand for identification
as by a sentry; gantlet, gauntlet
to offer or accept a challenge

Type of:: speech act
the use of language to perform some act

v issue a challenge to

“Fischer challenged Spassky to a match”

Types:: show 19 types...; hide 19 types...; provoke, stimulate
provide the needed stimulus for; counterchallenge
challenge in turn; call into question, oppugn, question
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of; impeach
challenge the honesty or veracity of; impugn
attack as false or wrong; dare, defy
challenge; call one's bluff
ask to prove what someone is claiming; call out
challenge to a duel; remand, remit, send back
refer (a matter or legal case) to another committee or authority or court for decision; appeal
take a court case to a higher court for review; action, litigate, process, sue
institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against; litigate
engage in legal proceedings; entice, lure, tempt
provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion; rejuvenate
cause (a stream or river) to erode, as by an uplift of the land; jog
stimulate to remember; incite, instigate, set off, stir up
provoke or stir up; brazen
face with defiance or impudence; expedite
process fast and efficiently; agitate, foment, stir up
try to stir up public opinion

Type of:: bid, invite
ask someone in a friendly way to do something

v take exception to

“She challenged his claims”

Synonyms:: dispute, gainsay

Types:: call
challenge the sincerity or truthfulness of; call
challenge (somebody) to make good on a statement; charge with or censure for an offense

Type of:: contend, contest, repugn
to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation

n questioning a statement and demanding an explanation

“his challenge of the assumption that Japan is still our enemy”

Type of:: inquiring, questioning
a request for information

v raise a formal objection in a court of law

Synonyms:: take exception

Types:: appeal
challenge (a decision)

Type of:: object
express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent

n a formal objection to the selection of a particular person as a juror

Type of:: objection
the speech act of objecting

n a demand by a sentry for a password or identification

Type of:: demand
an urgent or peremptory request

v ask for identification

“The illegal immigrant was challenged by the border guard”

Type of:: bespeak, call for, quest, request
express the need or desire for; ask for

n a demanding or stimulating situation

“they reacted irrationally to the challenge of Russian power”

Type of:: situation, state of affairs
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

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