opponent

1 of 2

noun

op·​po·​nent ə-ˈpō-nənt 

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

The team's opponents have not lost a game this season.

2

: a muscle that opposes or counteracts and limits the action of another

opponent

2 of 2

adjective

1

: antagonistic, opposing

2

: situated in front

Synonyms of opponent

Noun

• foe
• rival
• adversary

Examples of opponent in a Sentence

Noun

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 on the Web

Noun

Jordan Lee scored 14 and freshman Aaliyah Crump added 12 points off the bench as Texas (21-2, 6-2 SEC) won its 38th consecutive home game and improved to 7-2 this season against AP Top 25 opponents. —Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026

The Penguins are now 10-1-4 against divisional opponents. —Josh Yohe, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026

Adjective

In the last seven games, including the wild-card round win over the Panthers, the Rams defense is ninth in opponent success rate against dropbacks at 43.8%. —Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026

Baylor Weaknesses - Lack of bench trust: Baylor ranks No. 350 in bench minutes percentage (22.8). - Free-throw struggles: The Bears rank No. 149 in team free-throw percentage (73.1). - Struggle to generate turnovers: Baylor is No. 237 in opponent turnover percentage (16.2). —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Noun

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for opponent

• component
• deponent
• exponent
• proponent
• multicomponent
• ponent

Kids Definition

opponent

noun

op·​po·​nent

ə-ˈpō-nənt

: a person or thing that opposes another

Medical Definition

opponent

noun

op·​po·​nent ə-ˈpō-nənt 

: a muscle that opposes or counteracts and limits the action of another