opponent

noun op·po·nent \ ə-ˈpō-nənt \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Examples: opponent in a Sentence

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

See opponent defined for English-language learners

See opponent defined for kids

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

That’s not going to work against an opponent of Kerber’s quality.

— howard fendrich, BostonGlobe.com, "Angelique Kerber outplays Serena Williams, wins her first Wimbledon title," 14 July 2018
From there, the Russians publicly circulated the party’s files for use by opponents or discreetly passed them along to American political operatives.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "Truth Without Consequences," 13 July 2018
The offensive performances largely have been uneven during summer league, with much of the scoring coming from the free-throw line against foul-prone opponents lacking the ability to defend at the NBA level without fouling.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Bam Adebayo leaving Heat with both questions, answers in summer league," 12 July 2018
This is Ball State's best shot at a nonconference win against an FBS opponent.

— matthew glenesk, Indianapolis Star, "Ranking Indiana's top 50 college football games in 2018," 11 July 2018
Trump reversed course on June 20 amid an international outcry from opponents who said families should remain together.

— Time, "Judge Rejects Trump Administration's Request for Blanket Extension to Reunite Separated Migrant Children," 7 July 2018
Trump reversed course on June 20 amid an international outcry from opponents who said families should remain together.

— CBS News, "Judge orders Trump administration to share list of separated children," 7 July 2018
Trump reversed course on June 20 amid an international outcry from opponents who said families should remain together.

— azcentral, "U.S. District judge rejects delay to reunite separated migrant children at border," 6 July 2018
His rolling on the field during a game against Serbia, after being knocked by an opponent, has become both a meme and a hashtag.

— sarah gray, Fortune, "South African KFC Commercial Mocks Neymar's World Cup Rolling. Check it Out," 5 July 2018

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

borrowed from Medieval Latin oppōnent-, oppōnens "one who proposes something for discussion," from present participle of Latin oppōnere "to place as an obstacle, set in opposition to, argue in reply" — more at oppose

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1553

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

opponent Synonyms

opponent

adjective

Definition of opponent

1 : antagonistic, opposing

2 : situated in front

Recent Examples of opponent from the Web

The Colts rank fourth in the NFL in opponent kickoff-return average, a product of Sanchez’s savvy as a kickoff specialist.

— stephen holder, Indianapolis Star, "Colts' thumbs up, down: Jack Doyle, Jabaal Sheard starred this season," 1 Jan. 2018
The Lady Rams sank 85.7% (6-7) of their free throws and lost a Badgers-opponent season-high 26 turnovers to a season-high 14 steals by SHC.

— spring hill college athletics, AL.com, "Spring Hill women continue to roll with 73-46 win over Mobile," 24 Jan. 2018
Milwaukee has cut opponent three-point attempts from 27.4 per game in the first 18 contests to 23.3 in the past seven.

— matt velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Bucks are on a roll since getting back to basics in Berkeley," 10 Dec. 2017
His style is more along the lines of Floyd Mayweather Jr. — avoid contact, make the opponent look bad and win on points — which, to fans who thrive on continuous action and massive fistic exchanges, does not sit well.

— bob velin, USA TODAY, "Lomachenko vs. Rigondeaux: Historic fight with great expectations," 8 Dec. 2017
Another highlight on the slate is a trip to Tuscon, Ariz., to play Pac-12 opponent Arizona on Dec. 3.

— tod leonard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Bahamas trip included in schedule for SDSU women's basketball," 9 Aug. 2017
Milpitas was scheduled to host Mission San Jose at SummitPointe Golf Course on Wednesday and to play league opponent Wilcox at Santa Clara Golf and Tennis Club on Thursday.

— julian ramos, The Mercury News, "Milpitas: Trojans baseball tops Branham High," 23 Mar. 2017

Origin and Etymology of opponent

borrowed from Latin oppōnent-, oppōnens, present participle of oppōnere "to place as an obstacle, set in opposition to, argue in reply" — more at oppose

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1647

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

OPPONENT Defined for English Language Learners

opponent

noun

Definition of opponent for English Language Learners

: a person, team, group, etc., that is competing against another in a contest
: 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.