26984 words

challenges

24 definitions • 35 examples
1
(the situation of being faced with) something that needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully and therefore tests a person's ability:

Examples:

face a challenge Finding a solution to this problem is one of the greatest challenges faced by scientists today.
You know me - I like a challenge.
rise to the challenge It's going to be a difficult job but I'm sure she'll rise to the challenge.
2
an invitation to compete or take part, especially in a game or argument:

Examples:

"I bet you can't eat all that food on your plate." "Is that a challenge?"
[ + to infinitive ] She issued a challenge to her rival candidates to take part in a public debate.
issue a challenge They plan to issue the challenge at a news conference today.
3
an invitation to do something difficult, funny, or embarrassing, especially on social media, often as a way of raising money for a good cause:

Examples:

The Ice Bucket Challenge, in which people filmed themselves being doused with icy water, raised awareness and over $100 million for the ALS Association.
4
asking if something is true or legal:

Examples:

pose a challenge The result of the vote poses a serious challenge to the government's credibility.
Because of the way this research was conducted, its findings are open to challenge.
5
an instruction given by a soldier or guard at a border or gate, telling someone to stand still and say their name and reasons for being there
6
the act of refusing to accept someone as a member of a jury:

Examples:

A challenge to a member of the jury should be made before the trial begins.
7
to invite someone to compete or take part, especially in a game or argument:

Examples:

challenge someone to something/do something Tina has challenged me to a game of poker.
He played a tricky piece on the piano and then challenged me to do the same.
8
to question if something is true or legal:

Examples:

Children challenge their parents' authority far more nowadays than they did in the past.
9
to test someone's ability or determination
10
to tell someone at a border or gate to stand still and say their name and reasons for being there
11
to refuse to accept someone as a member of a jury
12
something needing great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully, or the situation of facing this kind of effort:

Examples:

[ C ] It’s a challenge being in a marriage when both partners have high-pressure jobs.
[ C ] No matter how long you write, poetry remains a challenge.
[ C ] Germany faces broad challenges in the coming years.
13
a questioning or expression of doubt about the truth or purpose of something, or the right of a person to have or do something:

Examples:

[ U ] Because of the way this research was done, its findings are open to challenge.
[ C ] The president is clearly anticipating a new challenge to his authority.
14
something that competes with you or is a threat:

Examples:

15
to invite someone to take part in a competition:

Examples:

The other candidates challenged the president to take part in a debate.
16
to present tasks to someone that need great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully:

Examples:

It’s easy enough to crank out college graduates, but a good education should really challenge them.
17
to express or represent doubt about the truth of something:

Examples:

Advanced computers challenge long-held notions about intelligence and thought.
18
a job, duty, or situation that is difficult because you must use a lot of effort, determination, and skill in order to be successful:

Examples:

accept/face/meet a challenge After significant losses last year, the company now faces the challenge of trying to repair its reputation with investors.
be/pose/present a challenge The weakness of the dollar could pose a challenge to the company's expansion plans.
As a software developer he enjoys the challenge of working with cutting-edge technology.
She was getting bored at work and felt she needed a new challenge.
Finding time to do the work has proven a real challenge.
19
an invitation for someone to compete against you or for you to prove that you can achieve a particular goal:
20
an act of asking whether something is true or legal, or whether someone has the authority or right to do something:

Examples:

mount/launch a challenge against Unions are planning to launch a legal challenge against the airline for changing the work schedules of 14,000 cabin crew.
21
to officially question whether something is true or legal, or whether someone has the authority or right to do something:

Examples:

Keep copies of all written correspondence to support your case if the company later challenges you for further payment.
Corporate lawyers challenged the ban, but the court upheld it last year.
22
to compete against someone or ask them to prove that they can achieve a particular goal:
23
to encourage someone to increase their skills, determination, abilities, etc. by making them do something new or difficult:

Examples:

People are just looking for jobs that will challenge and inspire them.
24
to cause difficulties for someone or something:

Examples:

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