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
Relevance
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
But to Maclay and his opponents alike, great problems of policy were inseparable from small matters of ritual.
—
Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
His Democratic opponent in the primary, Juanita Irizarry, almost knocked him off with a challenge to his petitions but fell just short.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Carolyn Collins poured in 27 points and seven boards as Winchester got the 57-41 victory over Middlesex League opponent Wakefield.
—Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
They were pushed hard by coach Dan Hurley and his assistants, so they they were rarely challenged by opponents, ultimately rolling through the Big East and NCAA tournaments.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opponent
Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
His Democratic opponent in the primary, Juanita Irizarry, almost knocked him off with a challenge to his petitions but fell just short.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Carolyn Collins poured in 27 points and seven boards as Winchester got the 57-41 victory over Middlesex League opponent Wakefield.
—Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
They were pushed hard by coach Dan Hurley and his assistants, so they they were rarely challenged by opponents, ultimately rolling through the Big East and NCAA tournaments.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opponent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opponent
Noun
-
In a season when so many things seemed to come full circle in New England, Vrabel and the Patriots will attempt to knock off a familiar postseason foe to shift the new era into another gear.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Cuba joined Iran, Russia and other foes of Washington in condemning the raid at the United Nations.—
Robert Muggah,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When integrated into multiple systems, the Tactical Edge Electromagnetic Solutions (TEEMS) can jam enemy systems with speed and precision.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Netanyahu said the country would continue trying to bring home the bodies of Israelis still being held across enemy lines, such as Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy hung in Damascus in 1965.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, who both stand alone as the only squads in their division with winning records, every other divisional leader holds only a slim edge over rivals in hot pursuit.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Recently, archaeologists found a massive stone basin in Italy dating back more than 2,000 years — remnants of a once-powerful rival of Rome.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Celebrini hit the zone with speed, found quiet ice behind the play and got the puck back to weave through five adversaries and deliver a laser that guaranteed the Sharks at least one point.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Then, later in the quarter, Green gave his adversary a hard shove in the chest on a trip downcourt that was not called a foul.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opponent. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share