challengers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challengers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals or groups that compete against others, often in a competitive context such as sports, business, or other challenges. Example: "The challengers in the tournament displayed remarkable skill and determination throughout the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: How did the challengers fare in the final TV debate?

The Guardian

The Liberal Democrats, having been the engine of progress in this whole field for so long, may face challengers for their crown as prime reformers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And unfortunately Nick and I aren't allowed to join the televised debate because it's only for the challengers".

The Guardian

But taking on conservatives trying to attract Latino voters while careful not to upset the party base, Clinton forcefully baited her challengers.

The Guardian

The visitors' reply was a move that almost made it 3-0, however, as the lively Wilson eluded challengers to get himself in a shooting position but Roger Johnson did just enough to block at the expense of a corner.

The Guardian - Sport

The first minister will next face Miliband in a "challengers' debate" on 16 April, which will include the party leaders from Thursday's ITV debate except Cameron and Clegg.

The Guardian

In the overall standings, behind Wiggins and Stannard, the closest challengers are Martin Elmiger of the Swiss team IAM Cycling and Martin's Garmin-Sharp team mate Jack Bauer of New Zealand, 47sec and 55sec behind respectively.

The Guardian - Sport

Like Rubio, he co-authored the Senate immigration bill, although it did not affect his re-election last year - in which he defeated six primary challengers.

The Guardian

Will his defeat empower conservative challengers in the 2016 presidential race such as Ted Cruz and Rand Paul?

The Guardian

It is easy to forget that Inter were at one point considered serious title challengers this season.

The Guardian - Sport

Young challengers could emerge from within the Labour party or the Greens.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about elections or debates, use "challengers" to specifically refer to candidates running against incumbents or established figures.

Common error

Avoid using "challengers" when simply referring to people with differing opinions; use "opponents" or "dissenters" instead to accurately convey the nature of the disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "challengers" is as a plural noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to individuals or groups that are competing against others. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in political debates and sports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "challengers" functions primarily as a plural noun, denoting individuals or groups in a competitive scenario. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency of use, particularly within news and media contexts. While neutrally registered, "challengers" is most effectively employed when describing entities vying for dominance or victory, as opposed to general disagreements. Related terms like "competitors" or "rivals" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific competitive dynamic. Usage guidance emphasizes its appropriate application in competitive contexts like elections and sports, while cautioning against misuse in non-competitive situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competitors

Refers to those who vie for the same goal, similar to "challengers" but more general.

contenders

Implies a serious attempt to win, emphasizing the competitive aspect.

rivals

Suggests an ongoing competition or antagonism.

opponents

Focuses on the adversarial relationship.

adversaries

Similar to opponents, but can imply a more formal or intense conflict.

entrants

Highlights the act of entering a competition or contest.

candidates

Specifically refers to those seeking election or appointment.

contestants

General term for participants in a contest.

competitions

Emphasizes the act of competition itself, rather than the individuals.

attackers

Implies an aggressive challenge, suggesting a more forceful approach.

FAQs

How do you use "challengers" in a sentence?

You can use "challengers" to describe individuals or teams competing against others, for example, "The challengers faced a difficult task" or "The reigning champion defeated all challengers".

What is a good synonym for "challengers"?

Good synonyms for "challengers" include "competitors", "contenders", and "rivals", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "challengers" and "opponents"?

"Challengers" specifically implies a competitive scenario, such as a race or election, while "opponents" is broader and can refer to anyone who disagrees or opposes a viewpoint or action.

Is it correct to use "challengers" in a business context?

Yes, "challengers" can be used in a business context to refer to companies or products that are competing with established market leaders. They are often seen as innovative and disruptive forces.