opponent

American  

[uh-poh-nuhnt] / əˈpoʊ nənt /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   antagonist

   Antonyms:

   friend, ally

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adjective

1. being opposite, as in position.

2. opposing; adverse; antagonistic.

3. Anatomy. bringing parts together or into opposition, as a muscle.

opponent British  

/ əˈpəʊnənt /

noun

1. a person who opposes another in a contest, battle, etc

2. anatomy an opponent muscle

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adjective

1. opposite, as in position

2. anatomy (of a muscle) bringing two parts into opposition

3. opposing; contrary

Usage

What does opponent mean? An opponent is someone who is against another person, as in a game, exhibition, or controversy. Opponent can also sometimes be used to describe being in opposition, as in Felix saw no opponent reason to change his vote. Example: Our opponent is strong, so don’t do anything reckless during the game.

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• opponency
  noun

Etymology

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

Explanation

An opponent is your competition, whether it's a rival hockey team, or the other finalist in the chess tournament. Coaches tell you to never underestimate your opponent. Someone who competes or fights against you is your opponent. If you're arguing that chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla, the vanilla ice cream fan is your opponent. An opponent can also be someone who opposes, like an opponent of gun control laws. The Latin word opponent means setting against, and it was first used in English to describe the person who would begin a certain type of philosophical debate.

Example Sentences

Opponent Julia Riera walked over to check on Jones and helped lift her on to a wheelchair.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2025

Opponent rushes up the court with urgency and promptly makes a three-point shot.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2024

The average score of those games: Ranked Big Ten Opponent 44, Maryland 12.

From Washington Post • Oct. 2, 2021

Bills: Opponent to be determined in preparing to host first playoff game since 30-27 loss to Jacksonville in wild-card round and Hall of Famer quarterback Jim Kelly’s final game on Dec. 28, 1996.

From Washington Times • Jan. 3, 2021

Miller with an Heart full of Resolution, Buck with a watchful untroubled Countenance; Buck regarding principally his own Defence, Miller chiefly thoughtful of annoying his Opponent.

From A Century of English Essays An Anthology Ranging from Caxton to R. L. Stevenson & the Writers of Our Own Time by Rhys, Ernest

Related Words

• adversary
• aspirant
• candidate
• challenger
• competitor
• enemy
• foe
• opposition
• player
• rival