Synonyms
Examples of opponent in a Sentence
Eliza Shapiro, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023
Reagan’s opponents, not surprisingly, adopted the term.
—Leah Askarinam, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2023
With any set of intransitive dice, whoever chooses first in Buffett’s game bears a disadvantage, because the second player can always pick the die that’s likely to defeat their opponent’s choice.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 19 Sep. 2023
The Patriots don’t strike much fear into opponents.
—Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
The Gamecocks have limited opponents to just 12-for-40 (30%) on third down.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 19 Sep. 2023
Since that game, Samford has lost 33 consecutive meetings with SEC opponents.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2023
The victory was the program’s fourth in the past five meetings with the Cavaliers and extended its winning streak against nonconference opponents to 11, the third-longest streak among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision programs.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2023
That step came just in time for the Buckeyes’ strength of schedule to pick up significantly starting with a Notre Dame opponent that features NFL-level talent on both sides of its offensive line.
—Stephen Means, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2023
Emma Barnett, NBC News, 21 July 2023
The Kings ranked 25th in scoring defense and second-to-last in opponent field goal percentage last season. 7.
—Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 24 June 2023
In addition, Denver is in the middle of the pack at eighth for opponent 3-point percentage allowed (34.2%).
—Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 30 Apr. 2023
The Fever were last in the WNBA in field goal percentage, points scored, points allowed, and opponent field goal percentage.
—Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2023
Similarly, the Bulls’ offense ranks 6th in FG percentage while the Raptors’ defense ranks 27th in opponent FG percentage.
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2023
The Huskies allow an opponent three-point percentage of 29.7% (No. 13 in NCAA) and control the boards by averaging 39.3 rebounds per game (No. 10 in NCAA).
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2023
Forty percent of opponent field goal attempts are 3s, well above the national average.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2023
Well, actually Auburn is sixth in opponent 3-point percentage, 28.8, so enjoy the trip back to Iowa City, Fran.
—Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opponent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
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
Dictionary Entries Near opponent
Cite this Entry
“Opponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opponent. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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opponent
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opponent
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More from Merriam-Webster on opponent
Nglish: Translation of opponent for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of opponent for Arabic Speakers
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