opposite number
noun
: a member of a system or class who holds relatively the same position as a particular member in a corresponding system or class : counterpart
Examples of opposite number in a Sentence
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Especially when unconventional school principal Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) decides to reinvent this trivial student feud as a cross between an educational experience and an opportunity to get one over on her War College opposite number, Chancellor Kelrec (Raoul Bhaneja).
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Richard Edwards, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Flick retained the Spanish Super Cup at the weekend causing the dismissal of his Real Madrid opposite number Xabi Alonso, and a run to the Champions League semifinals in 2024/2025 also brought with it $135 million in prize money from UEFA according to an AS report.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Just like their teams, neither manager was willing to give their opposite number an inch.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Their opposite numbers in Germany, like Paul Klee, fled Nazi Germany or stayed and suffered, like Felix Nussbaum.
—Christopher C. Gorham
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opposite number
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Richard Edwards, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Flick retained the Spanish Super Cup at the weekend causing the dismissal of his Real Madrid opposite number Xabi Alonso, and a run to the Champions League semifinals in 2024/2025 also brought with it $135 million in prize money from UEFA according to an AS report.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Just like their teams, neither manager was willing to give their opposite number an inch.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Their opposite numbers in Germany, like Paul Klee, fled Nazi Germany or stayed and suffered, like Felix Nussbaum.
—Christopher C. Gorham
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opposite number
Cite this Entry
“Opposite number.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opposite%20number. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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