opponent
Americannoun
adjective
-
being opposite, as in position.
-
opposing; adverse; antagonistic.
-
Anatomy. bringing parts together or into opposition, as a muscle.
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
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Makhmudov is a very well-picked opponent for a number of reasons.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
His opponent was a 20-year-old prodigy from Uzbekistan named Javokhir Sindarov.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
French President Jacques Chirac, a strong opponent of the effort in Iraq, rebuked them for having “missed a great opportunity to shut up.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
She had 16 in a lower-scoring performance against Texas on Friday, but her imposing defense and ability to move as fluidly as a guard make her a matchup headache for any opponent.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026
“It is a matter of perspective, the difference between opponent and partner,” Tsukiko says.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
