OPPONENT Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

opponent

noun

ə-ˈpō-nənt

Definition of opponent

as in foe

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in enemy

one that is hostile toward another the senator has many political opponents who would love to ruin his career

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of opponent Crowley and other Democrats argue the ads are meant to bolster Hong’s standing in the primary because Republicans see her as the easier opponent. — Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 During a daylong hearing, Rybakov said there was no evidence to support the allegations and described the case as an unconstitutional attack on freedom of thought by political opponents seeking to clear the field of rivals. — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026 That comes with sharper scrutiny and new challenges, experts and opponents say. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 While McGee doesn't have an official opponent yet, according to Tapology, the veteran made the announcement on Monday. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opponent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for opponent

Noun

His political foes described the move as a stunt and opted against standing a candidate.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
The good guys protecting us from people who want to work and live here will continue their morally upright quest by electrocuting their foes into submission.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of foe

Noun

The two started off as enemies as Judy joined the Zootopia Police Department, but then put aside their differences to solve a mystery in the animal city.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Inspired by true events, her feature film debut tells the dark story of a small northeastern German village at the end of WWII, when the Nazi regime gave its citizens the order to leave nothing alive for the enemy to find.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of enemy

Noun

But keeping their promotion rivals at bay most definitely was, Parkinson’s men conceding 24 times in those dozen games, 16 of which came on Welsh soil.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Chinese rivals Baidu Apollo Go and WeRide, meanwhile, are ramping up plans and tests for operating autonomous rides in Europe.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of rival

Noun

The Russia and Ukraine conflict grinds into a fifth year; a new Fed chair settles in while tariff policy whipsaws through the courts; tensions with allies and adversaries alike continue to flare.

— Nigel Morris, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Satellite navigation can fail when an adversary jams GPS or China’s BeiDou system.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of adversary

Browse Nearby Words

opinions

opponent

opponents

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Style

“Opponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opponent. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of opponent

noun

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