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

In New York City, State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral race against high-profile opponents. —Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

Taking the stage at his campaign’s watch party, the 34-year-old Democrat celebrated his win while taking aim at the wealthy donors who had bankrolled his opponent, independent candidate and former New York governor Andrew Cuomo. —Nino Paoli, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025

Adjective

Cleveland ranks last in opponent red zone touchdown rate (80 percent). —Vic Tafur, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

The Jets rank seventh in opponent sack rate allowed, which plays right into the hands of the NFL’s best pass rush like (British) beans on toast. —Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025

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