Challenge
Challenge noun - Something that requires thought and skill for resolution.
Usage example: the many challenges facing developing countries in the 21st century
Problem is a synonym for challenge in trouble topic. In some cases you can use "Problem" instead a noun "Challenge", when it comes to topics like issue, question, task.
Problem
Problem noun - Something that requires thought and skill for resolution.
Usage example: the problem of world hunger
Challenge is a synonym for problem in trouble topic. You can use "Challenge" instead a noun "Problem", if it concerns topics such as issue, question, task.
Nearby Words: problematic, problematical
How words are described
| particular | particular challenge | particular problem |
| similar | similar challenge | similar problem |
| common | common challenge | common problem |
| single | single challenge | single problem |
| Other adjectives: actual, real, massive, big, serious, huge, little, main, personal, new, major, final, minor, significant, greater, added, bigger, biggest. | ||
Both words in one sentence
- Donatello is often written as insomniac and addicted to coffee, and as always falling asleep at his work bench or computer as he tries to solve some problem or challenge.
Source: Acceptable Breaks from Canon - While the Four-Temperament Ensemble seeks to classify members by their personality, this trope classifies members by their outlook, or life philosophy, especially as demonstrated when the Group is faced by a problem or challenge.
Source: Four-Philosophy Ensemble -
During Season 5's military makeover challenge, Coco's partner had this problem, almost resorting to duct tape despite Coco insisting that that's a Very Bad Idea.
Source: Series / RuPaul's Drag Race
Cite this Source
Problem and Challenge. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 13, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/challenge/problem
Challenge & Problem. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/challenge/problem>.
Problem or Challenge. 2016. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/challenge/problem.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "challenge" and "problem" have occurred on timeline