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
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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
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Breaking a trend of players from his area who often choose the Wolverines' biggest rivals in East Lansing, Trey set his sights on Ann Arbor.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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But the entire episode proved a huge fundraising boon to Schiff, who pulled away from his rivals in the Senate primary and easily won the general election.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The bill targets countries designated as foreign adversaries, including Communist China, according to the lawmakers.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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Criticized by conservatives at home for his conciliatory tone, the reformist politician has also been sidelined by Iran’s adversaries.—
Roxane Razavi,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opponent. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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