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opponent

[ uh-poh-nuhnt ]
/ əˈpoʊ nənt /
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See synonyms for: opponent / opponents on Thesaurus.com
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.
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Origin of opponent

1580–90; <Latin oppƍnent- (stem of oppƍnēns, present participle of oppƍnere to place over, against, or in front of, make an obstacle), equivalent to op-op- + pƍn(ere) to place, set, put + -ent--ent

synonym study for opponent

1. 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.

Words nearby opponent

Oppenheimer, J. Robert, oppidan, oppilate, oppo, opponency, opponent, opportune, opportunism, opportunist, opportunistic, opportunistic infection
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT OPPONENT

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.

Where does opponent come from?

The first records of the term opponent come from around 1580. It comes from the Latin oppƍnēns, meaning “to place over, against, or in front of.” Similarly, an opponent is someone who goes against or is in front of another.

You’ll see opponent used frequently to describe a team’s rival in a sporting event or a politician’s challenger in an election. But you will also see opponent used more generally to describe someone as an adversary.

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What are some other forms related to opponent?

What are some synonyms for opponent?

What are some words that share a root or word element with opponent? 

What are some words that often get used in discussing opponent?

How is opponent used in real life?

Opponent is a commonly used word that refers to an enemy or competitor.

 

 

Try using opponent!

True or False?

An adversary can also be called an opponent.

Words related to opponent

adversary, aspirant, candidate, challenger, competitor, enemy, foe, opposition, player, rival, antagonist, anti, assailant, bandit, bidder, con, contestant, disputant, entrant, litigant

How to use opponent in a sentence

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, noun

Word Origin for opponent

C16: from Latin oppƍnere to oppose, from ob- against + pƍnere to place
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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