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.
Synonym Usage
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
Explanation
An opponent is your competition, whether it's a rival hockey team, or the other finalist in the chess tournament. Coaches tell you to never underestimate your opponent. Someone who competes or fights against you is your opponent. If you're arguing that chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla, the vanilla ice cream fan is your opponent. An opponent can also be someone who opposes, like an opponent of gun control laws. The Latin word opponent means setting against, and it was first used in English to describe the person who would begin a certain type of philosophical debate.
Vocabulary lists containing opponent
Vocabulary of the Summer Olympics
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Check It Out, Mate: Chess Vocabulary
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Excerpt from "The Philosophy of Literary Form" by Kenneth Burke
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
Jones scoffed at his party endorsing his opponent.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
But as she weighs a third presidential bid, Harris stands to face a bigger and more formidable opponent: herself.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
There is no broadcaster, only a modest crowd expected and a 46-year-old opponent.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
He will keep his head down until the last possible moment, forcing his opponent to stand and wait in the hopes of disrupting the pitcher’s timing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
Both of Bobby’s wins were hard fought and went to fifty moves before his opponent resigned.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Top prospects are the lifeblood that allow them to compete with wealthier opponents who can consistently outspend them for established talent.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
A couple of weeks ago, though, Rodriguez dropped out due to campaign finance reporting issues—and one of those former opponents got back in.
From Slate ● Aug. 1, 2026
Despite taking the lead, Liverpool went down 3-1 against their opponents from Oslo.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
For one, a schedule that includes just four opponents picked to finish in the top half of the Big Ten.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
“We got this,” I promise, and when Mustafa throws down the card I was hoping for, I know we won by getting all the sets and crushing our opponents in the most humiliating way.
From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan
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.
