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

After opening the season with a four game road trip — each game the first on home ice for their opponents — the Panthers fell 4-1 to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday in their first game of the 2026-27 season at Amerant Bank Arena. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026

Annie Vinatieri, a Sugarloaf Township protester, observed that the data center opponents are a combination of working, middle, and upper classes, mostly white, but definitely nonpartisan, including many who are new to environmental protests. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Games like cornhole, ringer darts and Kubb — a lawn game involving teams tossing wooden blocks to knock over their opponents’ blocks — were set up on small turf patches. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Before the game between the Packers and Bears, two teams that share a rivalry dating to 1921, the Packers showed their class by showing their opponents great respect in memory of Ditka. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

But left-leaning opponents said the changes are designed to help Meloni cling to power. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026

The Roos entered the weekend with 8 wins, 1 loss, 2 draws, having already played four top-15 opponents. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026

The Knights have lost two games after opponents came up with one-handed, game-winning catches in the closing seconds, making Friday’s blowout setback a bit of an aberration. — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Ironically, at the time, one of the strongest opponents of the documentary was Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 Oct. 2026