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opponent

noun

ə-ˈpō-nənt How to pronounce opponent (audio)
Definition of opponentnext
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

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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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of opponent Last season, the Hurricanes dropped two games to opponents they were favored to beat. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026 Organizers who have engaged with potential donors said the administration’s targeting of political opponents and diversity initiatives seems to have put a chill on fundraising for their causes. — Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 This led to more than a decade of conflict with a disparate band of Yemeni opponents, along with Saudi Arabia. — Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 The new activity was separate from a border infrastructure project in the nearby Big Bend National Park, where the administration has temporarily suspended construction in an attempt to reach out to opponents. — Rebecca Santana, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opponent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opponent
  1. foe
  2. enemy
  3. rival
  4. adversary
Noun
  • This time, the TPLF appears to have mobilized widely, bringing together former foes in its stated goal of removing Abiy from power in Addis Ababa, the federal capital.
    — SAMUEL GETACHEW, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Rebel fighters forge a coalition This time, the TPLF appears to have mobilized widely, bringing together former foes in its stated goal of removing Abiy from power in Addis Ababa, the federal capital.
    — Samuel Getachew, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of foe
Noun
  • For his druggy riff on Big Daddy, Firstman recruited former enemies, current friends, and a variety of other personalities from New York’s LGBTQ+ party scene.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Ali’s mournful assassin is trying to stay one step ahead of his enemies and, likewise, the movie fights like hell to elude conventionality.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • Meta and Apple are fierce rivals, and on Wednesday, the Facebook creator upped the ante by announcing new lightweight virtual reality glasses that make Apple’s Vision Pro headset look like bulky old tech.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Many of them, including Ned and his childhood friend and rival, Roland, are scarred by their time as youth players, haunted by memories of the sadistic coaches and cruel, competitive fathers who terrorized them both on and off the court.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of rival
Noun
  • Their ability to swiftly break into one of the world’s two leading AI labs again raises concerns about OpenAI’s security amid rising worries about powerful models being used by hackers and foreign adversaries.
    — Cristina Criddle, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026
  • As American leaders increasingly seek short, decisive military operations, the United States may increasingly confront adversaries that see advantages in prolonging conflicts.
    — NADIA SCHADLOW, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of adversary

Browse Nearby Words

opinions
opponent
opponents
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Cite this Entry

“Opponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opponent. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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