1
as in foe
one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict
in martial arts, before the match begins, always bow to your opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
the senator has many political opponents who would love to ruin his career
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of opponent
The Cyclones, 2-8 under first-year coach Matt Campbell, toyed with their opponent, rolling up nine touchdowns and 608 total yards.
—
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2025
The Ducks ran a high-tempo offense designed to wear out opposing defenses and limit the ability of opponents to substitute players before rules were later established to more level the playing field.
—Rob Maaddi, The Denver Post, 2 Feb. 2025
The executive order signed by Trump, a longtime opponent of wind energy, doesn't necessarily ban all wind construction.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
The defense allowed 414 points, fifth most in the league, and surrendered a touchdown on 67.9% of opponent’s red-zone possessions, the third-worst rate in the NFL.
—Joe Reedy, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for opponent 
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2025
The Ducks ran a high-tempo offense designed to wear out opposing defenses and limit the ability of opponents to substitute players before rules were later established to more level the playing field.
—Rob Maaddi, The Denver Post, 2 Feb. 2025
The executive order signed by Trump, a longtime opponent of wind energy, doesn't necessarily ban all wind construction.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
The defense allowed 414 points, fifth most in the league, and surrendered a touchdown on 67.9% of opponent’s red-zone possessions, the third-worst rate in the NFL.
—Joe Reedy, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for opponent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opponent
Noun
-
Thus the ending of the old monarch was properly marked by friends and foes alike.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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The senior battled in the post, fronting and denying his much taller foe both good position and the ball in the fourth quarter of a pivotal Oakland Athletic League game.—
Christian Babcock,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This go round, audiences saw them being buried alive, interrogated by the enemy for hours, running mercilessly, and jumping off a bridge.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
6 Feb. 2025
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The Trump administration’s version of justice rewards his friends and excludes his enemies.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Their most recent appearance was at the 2023 Super Bowl against tonight's rival, the Kansas City Chiefs.—
Lucia Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2025
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Her 20 goals last season single-handedly accounted for nearly six percent of the league’s total offense — nine more than her closest rivals, her teammate Nurse and rookie of the year Grace Zumwinkle of the Frost.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Rhetoric framing China as an economic adversary and a threat to American prosperity has contributed to a toxic environment that has disproportionately affected Asian-Americans.—
John Wang,
New York Daily News,
2 Feb. 2025
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The China tariffs imposed in 2018 applied to about $350 billion worth of imports from a country the government views as an adversary.—
The Editors,
National Review,
2 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near opponent
Cite this Entry
“Opponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opponent. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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