challenged

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "challenged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe people who have physical and/or mental disabilities. For example, "This school is committed to providing an inclusive learning environment for students who are physically and/or mentally challenged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I expected that some would object to my participation in an annual forum that is largely comprised of softball questions to a leader unaccustomed to being challenged.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ban was lifted in 2008, but the UK Border Agency challenged the decision, causing Snoop to criticise the British legal system.

The Guardian - Music

McConnell, who faces reelection in 2014 and is being challenged for his seat by Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes, among others, has been criticized in his home state of Kentucky for dealing with Democrats.

The Guardian

"The court held that, in their operation with respect to the challenged funding agreement and the challenged payments made under that agreement, none of the challenged provisions is a valid law of the commonwealth," the high court said in a judgment summary.

The Guardian

"People are increasingly asking 'is my money having an impact?"says David Kane, senior research officer at NCVO. "I think [charities are] being challenged, more so than in the past, to make sure people are comfortable with how their donations are spent".

The Guardian

The move is being challenged by Republicans and by lobbyists for the restaurant industry who claim it will cost jobs.

The Guardian - Business

He was also challenged about his privately educated background, as the leader of a party that claims to be anti-establishment.

The Guardian

He was a respected civil liberties solicitor and had successfully challenged the British government in a number of important human rights cases.

The Guardian

Drake challenged the need for mass surveillance rather than targeted surveillance.

The Guardian

It would be subject to regulation by the Charities Commission to ensure it was meeting its purposes, and its decisions and function could be challenged in the courts.

The Guardian

But challenged by committee chairman Dave Camp, a Republican from Michigan, to provide the number of people who had been able enroll for health insurance, Tavenner said the government did not have the figures.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "challenged" to indicate that a statement, idea, or action has been questioned or opposed.

Common error

While "challenged" can be a polite way to refer to certain conditions, overuse can diminish its impact and seem insincere. Choose specific, descriptive language when possible.

Linguistic Context

The word "challenged" functions primarily as the past participle of the verb challenge, often used to describe something that has been questioned or faced opposition. It can also function as an adjective, particularly when modifying nouns to describe individuals with disabilities. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "challenged" is versatile, functioning both as a verb and an adjective. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its use is grammatically correct and widespread, particularly in News & Media. It signifies questioning, opposition, or difficulty. While "challenged" can serve as a euphemism for disability, it's crucial to be mindful of the context and audience, with person-first language often being more respectful. When using "challenged", consider whether more direct and descriptive language may be more appropriate and less ambiguous. It's also key to recognize that this word has various alternative depending on what aspect of meaning you desire to highlight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questioned

Focuses on the act of asking questions about something, often implying doubt or scrutiny.

disputed

Emphasizes disagreement or contention regarding a statement or fact.

contested

Highlights a formal challenge, such as in a legal or political context.

called into question

Implies that the validity or truth of something has been doubted.

taken to task

Suggests that someone has been criticized or reprimanded for their actions or words.

met with skepticism

Indicates that an idea or proposal was received with doubt or disbelief.

grappled with

Focuses on struggling or dealing with a difficult problem or situation.

had difficulty with

Emphasizes the presence of obstacles or impediments in achieving something.

faced obstacles

Highlights the challenges and hurdles encountered in a particular situation.

presented difficulties

Suggests that something posed problems or complications.

FAQs

How can I use "challenged" in a sentence?

You can use "challenged" in sentences to indicate that someone is questioning something or that someone faces difficulties. For instance, "The politician was challenged on his stance" or "The project was challenged by budget constraints".

What is a more formal alternative to "challenged"?

In formal contexts, you might use "questioned", "disputed", or "contested" instead of "challenged", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "challenged" to describe someone with a disability?

While "challenged" is sometimes used as a euphemism for disability, person-first language (e.g., "person with a disability") is often preferred. Consider the specific context and audience. Using more direct and respectful terms can be better.

What's the difference between "challenged" and "threatened"?

"Challenged" implies questioning or facing difficulties, while "threatened" suggests being in danger or at risk. "The company was challenged by new regulations" means the regulations created difficulties, whereas "The company was threatened by a lawsuit" means the lawsuit posed a danger.