opposite number

American  

noun

1. counterpart; equivalent.

   New members with an interest in folk art will find their opposite numbers in the association's directory.

---

opposite number British  

noun

1. a person holding an equivalent and corresponding position on another side or situation

---

Etymology

Origin of opposite number

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

opposite number

Ratcliffe met Russian intelligence officials on Tuesday - notably his opposite number in Russia's overseas spy agency, Sergei Naryshkin - after arriving unannounced on a US military plane, the Kremlin confirmed.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

Arendse's yellow card for a deliberate knock-on gave England a man advantage for 10 minutes, and, at the end of the powerplay, Genge barged through opposite number Thomas du Toit from a quick tap penalty.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann described the match in Houston as a meeting of "David and Goliath" while his opposite number Dick Advocaat believes his charges can "steal some points".

From Barron's ● Jun. 14, 2026

His opposite number, the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, agreed, telling the House of Commons: "Britain is not ungovernable."

From BBC ● May 16, 2026

I stand under the trees for a while, opposite number twenty- three.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

Related Words

• antagonist
• attacker
• competitor
• enemy
• foe
• opponent
• rival