opponent
Americannoun
adjective
-
being opposite, as in position.
-
opposing; adverse; antagonistic.
-
Anatomy. bringing parts together or into opposition, as a muscle.
noun
-
a person who opposes another in a contest, battle, etc
-
anatomy an opponent muscle
adjective
-
opposite, as in position
-
anatomy (of a muscle) bringing two parts into opposition
-
opposing; contrary
Usage
What does opponent mean? An opponent is someone who is against another person, as in a game, exhibition, or controversy.Opponent can also sometimes be used to describe being in opposition, as in Felix saw no opponent reason to change his vote.Example: Our opponent is strong, so don’t do anything reckless during the game.
Related Words
Opponent, competitor, rival refer to persons engaged in a contest. Opponent is the most impersonal, meaning merely one who opposes; perhaps one who continually blocks and frustrates or one who happens to be on the opposite side in a temporary contest: an opponent in a debate. Competitor emphasizes the action in striving against another, or others, for a definite, common goal: competitors in business. Rival has both personal and emotional connotations; it emphasizes the idea that (usually) two persons are struggling to attain the same object: rivals for an office.
Other Word Forms
- opponency noun
Etymology
Origin of opponent
1580–90; < Latin oppōnent- (stem of oppōnēns, present participle of oppōnere to place over, against, or in front of, make an obstacle), equivalent to op- op- + pōn ( ere ) to place, set, put + -ent- -ent
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The handball law states that if a player scores in the opponents' goal immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental, then it's a handball offence," he said.
From BBC
No opponent had finished within 13 points of Sierra Canyon over the last month, and Chevalier gave credit to Rebibo and the Wolverines for taking them to the brink.
From Los Angeles Times
As a cleric in his 20s, he encountered Khomeini, a charismatic religious leader and avowed opponent of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi.
From Los Angeles Times
The Greater Manchester mayor previously told the BBC he had put his name forward for the by-election as he believed he was "probably in a better position than anybody to fight back" against Labour's opponents.
From BBC
NGOs and civil society groups regularly condemn violations of civil liberties and threats against political opponents.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
