opponent

noun

ə-ˈpō-nənt How to pronounce opponent (audio)
Definition of opponentnext
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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of opponent The only problem: The science in which the endangerment finding is based on is so solid that any ensuing court case will likely leave its opponents worse off in the long run, which is likely why the earlier Trump administration didn't challenge it. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, 10 Mar. 2025 Jackson finished the season with a 66.7% opponent reception percentage, per PFF. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2025 Saturday’s game was James’ 48th at TD Garden, including playoffs, by far the most of any Celtics opponent since the arena opened in 1995. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2025 Previously announced for the show include WWE United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defending against LA Knight and WWE Women's United States Champion Chelsea Green vs. an unknown opponent that will be revealed ahead of the show. — David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for opponent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opponent
  1. foe
  2. enemy
  3. rival
  4. adversary
Noun
  • And just like that, Love’s vanquished foe found a new lease of life.
    — Jack Bantock, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The two geriatric foes square-off nightly for a game of cat-and-mouse that involves Crealy using Jenny — both as a mask to deflect the suspicion of the nursing staff and as an instrument of torture with the Judge.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of foe
Noun
  • The idea that the most dangerous threats aren't always foreign enemies but those operating within one's own ranks mirrors real-world concerns about internal security breaches and shifting allegiances.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The establishment is the enemy; the professors are the enemy.
    — Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • The resort’s sculpture garden rivals those found in museums.
    — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • No, but Chicago Bears have division rivals’ attention with offseason roster rebuild.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of rival
Noun
  • President Trump's visionary leadership has changed the way Washington deals with our allies and adversaries on trade.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Teixeira also admitted posting information about a U.S. adversary’s plans to harm U.S. forces serving overseas.
    — Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of adversary

Browse Nearby Words

opponent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Opponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opponent. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on opponent

Nglish: Translation of opponent for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
number-twelve-balloon
12-Letter Words Quiz A dozen words, a dozen letters each.
See All