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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of opponent
Exit polling from the November election found that 53% of voters viewed Trump as more trustworthy than his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, on the economy.
—
Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
His opponents called him a fascist, but this only seemed to backfire.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Halfway through the match, after diving onto his opponents outside the ring, Monte Ford of The Street Prophets was seen interacting with the crowd.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
Just because of his style, Muhammad hasn't been much of a finisher to date in his MMA career, but he's got the kind of style that's great for breaking down opponents over time.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opponent
Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
His opponents called him a fascist, but this only seemed to backfire.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Halfway through the match, after diving onto his opponents outside the ring, Monte Ford of The Street Prophets was seen interacting with the crowd.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
Just because of his style, Muhammad hasn't been much of a finisher to date in his MMA career, but he's got the kind of style that's great for breaking down opponents over time.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opponent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opponent
Noun
-
The foes have made constitutional claims, environmental claims, procedural claims.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
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Giant games ahead as IM plays CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals this Thursday at Vancouver and April 30 vs. the same foe in Fort Lauderdale, with an MLS home match vs. Dallas in between next Sunday.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Volunteer historians and re-enactors will share living history of a small portion of Napoleon’s French Grande Army and the empire’s enemies, Britain, Austria, Prussia and their allies, on campaign in Spain.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2025
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All Cherry Mary wants is to pass her Commercial Driver’s License test and become a trucker — but after her family’s criminal enterprise makes the wrong enemies, when the test starts, the trouble begins.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Carole Baskin, an animal rights activist and Maldonado's rival, also starred in the show.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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Roche’s investment follows similar moves from major rivals.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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They are designed to evade an adversary's missile warning sensors.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
26 Apr. 2025
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Those strongmen have won legitimate elections but then stacked the democratic decks in their favor by rewarding allies, punishing adversaries, crippling the media and civil society, and turning the state into an instrument of their own agenda and political preservation.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opponent. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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