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

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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 The only time Kansas City has done that in five straight home games versus a single opponent was a six-game run against the Broncos (1966-1971). — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026 Brown added 85 yards and a clinching touchdown on the ground, while the Longhorns (7-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) made a series of big defensive plays in the fourth quarter to help preserve their fourth win over a top-20 opponent this season. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026 In particular, opponents raised concerns that data centers could apply for the measure’s streamlined permitting process. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2026 For the third straight week the Dallas Cowboys will play an ideal opponent, which is the problem. — Mac Engel november 7, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opponent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opponent
  1. foe
  2. enemy
  3. rival
  4. adversary
Noun
  • Former foes resurface to settle scores and fresh allegiances form, leaving him to act on his own to shield his family and bring things back under control.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026
  • As the votes came in, SpaceX and Tesla shares dropped, as investors perhaps questioned if a potential merger between those firms may now be in doubt, with Musk’s political foes back in power and in a position to add friction.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of foe
Noun
  • Not among our political enemies, not among our historical heroes, not among our martyrs, not among the incels, and not among the collaborators.
    — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
  • So far, neither the city nor the conservancy seems willing to see speed itself as the enemy, but maybe another fatal crash or two will convince them.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • But now, after El-Sayed’s defeat of GOP rival Mike Rogers was confirmed early Wednesday, there is a pervasive sense that a broader victory is at hand.
    — Jacqueline GaNun, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • As Democrats blew away their Republican rivals in an unprecedented midterm sweep Tuesday, the Make America Health Again movement also got bowled over, raising questions about the fate of the motley movement.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of rival
Noun
  • The initiative will target foreign adversaries and domestic actors who exploit advanced systems for unlawful purposes.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Also known as an adversary-in-the-middle attack, on-path attacks happen when a hacker gains access to a piece of infrastructure sending traffic back and forth between two parties.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of adversary

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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 8 Nov. 2026.

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