Synonyms of opponents

opponents

noun

plural of opponent

1

as in foes

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

• foes
• rivals
• adversaries
• competitors
• enemies
• antagonists
• contestants
• matches
• equals
• attackers
• combatants
• invaders
• assailants
• archenemies
• nemeses
• curses
• bêtes noires
• banes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• allies
• partners
• supporters
• proponents
• advocates
• accomplices
• champions
• confederates
• exponents
• sympathizers

2

as in enemies

one that is hostile toward another

the senator has many political opponents who would love to ruin his career

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enemies
• foes
• adversaries
• hostiles
• antagonists
• attackers
• rivals
• competitors
• combatants
• invaders
• archenemies
• assailants
• archfoes
• ill-wishers
• nemeses
• bêtes noires
• banes
• emulators

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• friends
• allies
• buddies
• colleagues
• partners
• pals
• cronies
• amigos
• chums
• fellows
• comrades
• mates
• musketeers
• collaborators
• compadres
• accomplices
• adherents
• confederates
• supporters
• followers
• abettors
• disciples
• sympathizers
• hearties
• backers
• hail-fellows
• friendlies
• benefactors
• hobnobbers
• exponents
• hail-fellows-well-met
• well-wishers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of opponents

Three players cordon off opponents at the far edge of the six-yard box, which gives Trusty the time to take a touch and lash the ball home from close range. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026

And, as in the past in both California and nationally, proponents and opponents of the switch cite the potential effects (good or bad) on health, business and agriculture as reasons to support or oppose the plan. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

In New York, progressives benefited when their opponents got helped by groups with links to the Israel lobby. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 14 July 2026

His appointment to the school board raised eyebrows as some questioned if Cervera was more of a Miami guy than a true Broward local — a narrative Cervera pushes back on and his opponents like to bring up. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

France had previously outscored its opponents 16-2 in this World Cup, led by Golden Boot contenders Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 14 July 2026

In the Assembly vote, all opponents to the bill were Republicans, a pattern that has followed the bill through all the votes it has been put through so far. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

As Jefferson’s opponents criticized him for sanctioning intervention and neglecting to free the prisoners, his supporters lashed out at the opposing Federalist Party for allegedly orchestrating a rebellion in Spain’s colonies in the first place. — Lindsay Schakenbach Regele, The Conversation, 13 July 2026

Composed of a roster headlined by top pick Yaxel Lendeborg and genuine NBA rotation players such as Will Richard, LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons, the summer league Warriors smoked their first two opponents at Chase Center. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 7 July 2026