opponent
[ uh-poh-nuhnt ]
/ əˈpoʊ nənt /
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.
Words nearby opponent
Origin of opponent
SYNONYMS FOR opponent
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for opponent
British Dictionary definitions for opponent
opponent
/ (əˈpəʊnənt) /
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 forms of opponent
opponency, nounWord Origin for opponent
C16: from Latin oppōnere to oppose, from ob- against + pōnere to place
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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