What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
challenged
Example
She was challenged to solve the difficult puzzle. [challenged: verb]
Example
The team was challenged by their opponents in the final match. [challenged: past tense]
questioned
Example
The detective questioned the suspect about his whereabouts. [questioned: past tense]
Example
She questioned the validity of the research findings. [questioned: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Questioned is more commonly used than challenged in everyday language. Questioned is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while challenged is less common and often used in specific situations related to personal growth or competition.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between challenged and questioned?
Both challenged and questioned can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, questioned is generally considered more neutral and can be used in a wider range of formality levels, while challenged may have a slightly more informal or confrontational connotation.
