opponent

[uh-poh-nuhnt]

noun

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

   Synonyms: antagonist
   Antonyms: friend, ally

adjective

1. being opposite, as in position.

2. opposing; adverse; antagonistic.

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

opponent

/ əˈpəʊnənt /

noun

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

2. anatomy an opponent muscle

adjective

1. opposite, as in position

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

3. opposing; contrary

Other Word Forms

• opponency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of opponent¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of opponent¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

By reducing the attractiveness of cash Isas, opponents said there was little evidence that people would shift to stocks and shares Isas instead.

Read more on BBC

In the last five games, culminating with their 27-point stomping of Tampa Bay on Sunday night, the Rams have outscored opponents in the opening quarter, 63-3.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I think this is preventing an opponent from being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the line of vision," Joe Hart said on Match of the Day.

Read more on BBC

It was the first time the Bruins had held an opponent scoreless for an entire quarter since they achieved the same feat on Dec. 5, 2021 against San José State.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Perhaps because Mr. Kennedy and vaccine opponents have made vaccines an autism scapegoat.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.