opponent

[uh-poh-nuh nt]

noun

a person who is on an opposing side in a game, contest, controversy, or the like; adversary.

adjective

being opposite, as in position.
opposing; adverse; antagonistic.
Anatomy. bringing parts together or into opposition, as a muscle.

Origin of opponent

1580–90; < Latin oppōnent- (stem of oppōnēns, present participle of oppōnere to place over, against, or in front of, make an obstacle), equivalent to op- op- + pōn(ere) to place, set, put + -ent- -ent

Synonyms

See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com

1. antagonist. Opponent, competitor, rival refer to persons engaged in a contest. Opponent is the most impersonal, meaning merely one who opposes; perhaps one who continually blocks and frustrates or one who happens to be on the opposite side in a temporary contest: an opponent in a debate. Competitor emphasizes the action in striving against another, or others, for a definite, common goal: competitors in business. Rival has both personal and emotional connotations; it emphasizes the idea that (usually) two persons are struggling to attain the same object: rivals for an office.

Antonyms

1. ally, friend.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for opponent

Contemporary Examples

Despite the scandal, Grimm beat his Democratic opponent by 18 points in November.
2014 Was a Delectably Good Year for Sleaze
Patricia Murphy
December 30, 2014
This opponent is like no other Rodgers has to face on the gridiron.
Aaron Rodgers Takes Aim at Congo’s ‘Blood Minerals’ War
John Prendergast
December 3, 2014
As the campaign season heated up, his opponent hammered away on the issue.
Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy to Democrats: Grow a Pair
David Freedlander
November 19, 2014
Peter Shumlin has been doing a lousy job and voters turned against him, even though he outspent his opponent five to one.
What the Hell Happened in Vermont?!
Stuart Stevens
November 13, 2014
The Democratic incumbent was doing fine with local issues until her opponent used the ISIS beheadings to turn the tide.
Kay Hagan's North Carolina Crash
Patricia Murphy
November 5, 2014

Historical Examples

Avoid me—place yourself in the condition of my opponent, and beware.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
A speech by an opponent, who is known as an harangue-outang.
The Devil's Dictionary
Ambrose Bierce
In the act of striking him, the torrent of his opponent's rage had reached a stop.
Barnaby Rudge
Charles Dickens
It was a battle of one against an opponent who had no idea battle was intended.
The Law-Breakers
Ridgwell Cullum
After which he and his opponent bowed to the tribunal, and departed.
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851
Various

British Dictionary definitions for opponent

opponent

noun

a person who opposes another in a contest, battle, etc
anatomy an opponent muscle

adjective

opposite, as in position
anatomy (of a muscle) bringing two parts into opposition
opposing; contrary

Derived Formsopponency, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin oppōnere to oppose, from ob- against + pōnere to place

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for opponent

n.

1580s, from Latin opponentem (nominative opponens), present participle of opponere "oppose, object to," literally "set against, set opposite," from ob "against" (see ob-) + ponere "to put, set, place" (see position).

opponent

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}opponent

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples from the Web for opponent

Contemporary Examples

Despite the scandal, Grimm beat his Democratic opponent by 18 points in November.

This opponent is like no other Rodgers has to face on the gridiron.

As the campaign season heated up, his opponent hammered away on the issue.

Peter Shumlin has been doing a lousy job and voters turned against him, even though he outspent his opponent five to one.

The Democratic incumbent was doing fine with local issues until her opponent used the ISIS beheadings to turn the tide.

Historical Examples

Avoid me—place yourself in the condition of my opponent, and beware.

A speech by an opponent, who is known as an harangue-outang.

In the act of striking him, the torrent of his opponent's rage had reached a stop.

It was a battle of one against an opponent who had no idea battle was intended.

After which he and his opponent bowed to the tribunal, and departed.

opponent

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for opponent

n.

Origin of opponent