challenged

1. 1
   verb

   Simple past and past participle of challenge.

   He challenged the results of the election in a county court.

   The findings were challenged by several independent researchers.

   Note

   A regular verb, so one -ed form does double duty: he challenged the result (past), the result has been challenged (perfect), the result was challenged (passive). The passive of the "be difficult for" meaning, as in students were challenged by the course, sits close to the euphemistic adjective. The verb takes a by-phrase or names the difficulty, while the adjective follows an adverb and names a lasting lack.

2. 2
   adjectiveeuphemistic

   Lacking a particular physical or mental ability; used after an adverb to form a polite, often euphemistic adjective such as "physically challenged."

   The center provides job training for physically challenged adults.

   Captions were added so that hearing-challenged viewers could follow the documentary.

   Similardisabled, impaired

   Note

   A euphemism built to a pattern: an adverb names the area, and challenged softens the lack, as in mentally challenged or physically challenged. It aims at politeness, but euphemisms wear thin with use, and this one has been parodied in the joking coinages until it can sound evasive. In careful writing, the specific, plain term often reads as more respectful than the cushion.

3. 3
   adjectivehumorous

   Appended to an adverb to coin a humorous adjective that imitates and pokes fun at polite euphemisms of the "physically challenged" kind.

   The team's vertically challenged point guard made up for his height with blistering speed.

   Our directionally challenged friend managed to get lost on the way to his own party.

   Note

   Here the formula turns on itself. The adverb-plus-challenged pattern is borrowed to dress up a trait that never needed softening. Vertically challenged for short is the classic, and the joke depends on the listener recognizing the earnest model in the polite euphemism. Almost any adverb can be pressed into service, but these coinages belong to light, teasing talk and can misfire if aimed at a real disability.

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