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Definition of opponent
1 : one that takes an opposite position (as in a debate, contest, or conflict) She is a formidable opponent in the race for senator. opponents of the war
2 : a muscle that opposes or counteracts and limits the action of another
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Examples of opponent in a Sentence
She is a formidable opponent in the race for senator.
The team's opponents have not lost a game this season.
He knocked out his opponent in the third round.
Recent Examples of opponent from the Web
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Moore, by contrast, remained a steadfast Trump opponent throughout the campaign.
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The Guards lost two long-distance opponents in San Diego Warner and Lone Pine.
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Trump talked with a few GOP opponents – including Senators Mike Lee, Ted Cruz, and Rand Paul – but failed to sway them.
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Some employed the ancient debating trick of trying to defuse an opponent’s arguments by ruling them old-hat, or out-of-order.
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The line would cut through southern Lake and Porter counties, and opponents in all three states have said they were concerned about loss of farmland, drainage woes and public safety.
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Three of Arkansas’ four districts lacked Democratic opponents.
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Rumors abound that the AKP is arming its own cadres out of fear of another coup attempt like the one thwarted last summer, as Erdogan and his party pulverize his opponents through purges, detentions, and arrests.
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The conference was hosted by 67-year-old Danie de Wet, along with his sons Johann and Peter, genial giants who must have inspired terror in opponents during their rugby days.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'opponent'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of opponent
Latin opponent-, opponens, present participle of opponere
opponent
Definition of opponent
1 : antagonistic, opposing
2 : situated in front
Origin and Etymology of opponent
see 1opponent
OPPONENT Defined for English Language Learners
opponent
playDefinition of opponent for English Language Learners
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: a person, team, group, etc., that is competing against another in a contest
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: a person, group, etc., that is against something (such as an action, law, or system) : someone or something that does not want something to exist, be done, etc.
OPPONENT Defined for Kids
opponent
playDefinition of opponent for Students
: a person or thing that takes an opposite position in a contest, fight, or controversy
Medical Dictionary
opponent
playMedical Definition of opponent
: a muscle that opposes or counteracts and limits the action of another
Learn More about opponent
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See words that rhyme with opponent Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for opponent Spanish Central: Translation of opponent Nglish: Translation of opponent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of opponent for Arabic speakers
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