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

As usual, Tkachuk was an effective agitator of and a menace to opponents in ways that don’t show up in the limited stats that Olympic hockey tracks. —Chris Kudialis, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026

No City Section opponent had come closer than 21 points until San Pedro lost to the Dolphins in Saturday’s semifinals by 15 points. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Beyond the arc, Vandy is third in the conference at 36.1%, while its defense ranks best in the SEC in opponent 3-point percentage at 29.6%. —Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026

Their opponent success rate of 41.8% in the regular season spiked to 46.7% in the three playoff games. —Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 9 Feb. 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