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

Rudeness, when in the spirit of resistance to the party’s opponents, has clearly proven popular with its base. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026

And here’s a thought that might have opponents singing the blues. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026

All five opponents rank in the top-9 on the all-encompassing DVOA metric from FTN Fantasy. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026

Jewett also believes the Republican challengers in those districts were weak compared to their Democratic opponents. — Connor Greene, Time, 8 Nov. 2026

Add Preferred Source The Texans face a couple of reeling opponents in their next two games. — Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 8 Nov. 2026

Both left-wing and right-wing protesters flouted lockdown rules and increasingly gave the impression of a country and an administration in crisis—one Clinton’s political opponents were only too happy to seize. — Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026

John James and Mike Rogers, while both Republicans, are very different political candidates running markedly different campaigns against two very different opponents. — Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026

Beating opponents in their own weight class would be a start. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026