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

Berman, a nurse, defeated two other Democratic opponents to win his primary Tuesday. — Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Oklahoma, where Daniels played last season, shared several common opponents with LSU, where Perkins spent his four-year college career. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Darline Graham, who’s serving out her brother’s current term, is running for a full term with the president’s endorsement and nine Republican opponents — a few of whom actually have the resources and name recognition to compete with her. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Teams play more opponents from the other conference because there is less of a chance of meeting those teams in the regular season. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, Luxon’s political opponents lambasted him and his party. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

But some observers believe there’s nothing Paramount could agree to that would satisfy the state AGs or other opponents of the deal. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

His main opponents are Lisa Demuth, the speaker of the Minnesota House, and Kendall Qualls, a businessman and veteran who has been endorsed by the Republican Party of Minnesota. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026

The Bills couldn’t last year, ranking 30th in opponents’ yards per carry. — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026