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

Recent Examples on the Web During the Iran negotiations, Secretary of State John F. Kerry spoke regularly, and directly, to his Iranian opposite number, Mohammad Javad Zarif, who had attended college and graduate school in the United States before the Iranian revolution. David E. Sanger, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024 Mike Shanahan, Haines’ opposite number on offense and another coach joining Cignetti from JMU, will make $800,000, while offensive line coach Bob Bostad, the only member of Allen’s last staff retained in the transition, will make $700,000. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Jan. 2024 Johnson has forged a strong partnership with his unlikely opposite number in the United States. Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Feb. 2022 With recent history on their side, which includes head coach Kyle Shanahan beating his opposite number, Matt LaFleur, twice in postseason play since 2020. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 15 Jan. 2024 The rest of the movie finds the two teams tussling for supremacy, with only Kira and her opposite number, Vetrov (Masha Mashkova), known as Nika, risking a tenuous pact. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2024 Like their opposite numbers in the rest of the world, China’s video streamers have had to change tack, emphasizing profitability over user growth and latterly been forced to slash content costs. Patrick Frater, Variety, 19 Sep. 2023 Aaron Casey outplayed his opposite number, Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State’s All-American linebacker. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Sep. 2023 Through sheer determination, Johnson has forged a strong partnership with his unlikely opposite number in the United States and largely aligned his foreign policy with Biden’s. Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Feb. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opposite number.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of opposite number was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near opposite number

Cite this Entry

“Opposite number.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opposite%20number. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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