1
as in foe
one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict
in martial arts, before the match begins, always bow to your opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
the senator has many political opponents who would love to ruin his career
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of opponent
Count on Ferguson, who will swim collegiately at Northwestern, to anchor each relay and confront the opponents’ fastest swimmers.
—
Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Chaska held every postseason opponent under 60 points.
—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
The president has endorsed Ed Gallrein, Massie's relatively unknown, pro-Trump opponent in the Kentucky primary election.
—Robert Costa, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Swalwell, now running for California governor, accuses the White House of targeting political opponents.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opponent
Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Chaska held every postseason opponent under 60 points.
—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
The president has endorsed Ed Gallrein, Massie's relatively unknown, pro-Trump opponent in the Kentucky primary election.
—Robert Costa, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Swalwell, now running for California governor, accuses the White House of targeting political opponents.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opponent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opponent
Noun
-
The teams are potential first-round playoff foes, depending on how high the 10th-place Hornets can climb in the conference standings.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
That sounds more like a right-wing foe of public financing than a supporter.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Person after person portrayed Democrats as the enemy trying to drive a wedge between conservatives in an election year, where Republicans want to keep control of Congress and win races up and down the ballot.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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Swalwell was among those named by Patel, who has said that his critics are mischaracterizing the appendix by calling it an enemies list.—
Perry Stein The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Next up is a matchup with Big Ten rival Iowa in the Elite 8 on Saturday.—
Ryan Baker,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The alternative option required a bit of help from the Minnesota Twins — their American League Central rivals.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Our adversaries are seizing the advantage.—
Jeff Coller,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
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Anthrax bacteria can cleave vital proteins with toxins and wreak havoc on their cellular adversaries.—
Hannah Kinzer,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opponent. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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