opponent
Americannoun
adjective
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being opposite, as in position.
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opposing; adverse; antagonistic.
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Anatomy. bringing parts together or into opposition, as a muscle.
noun
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a person who opposes another in a contest, battle, etc
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anatomy an opponent muscle
adjective
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opposite, as in position
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anatomy (of a muscle) bringing two parts into opposition
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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.
He's been in with more lively opponents, proving himself better.
From BBC
Scotland had 14 shots to Ivory Coast's 12 and four on target to their opponents' three.
From BBC
Justice Horace Gray didn’t say that “jurisdiction” means being subject to ordinary criminal or civil law, as opponents of the president’s order maintain.
Turner has been one of the most vocal opponents of the government's proposal to limit jury trials in England and Wales.
From BBC
When there is an adaptation of the rules, it gives managers, coaches and players opportunities to find creative ways to gain an advantage over an opponent.
From BBC
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.
