1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of opponent
The date, time and opponent for game 5 will be decided based on results of the first four games.
—
Gary Bedore
july 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
Siegemund has the ability to change the depth, speed, angles and spins of her shots over and over, which can frustrate any opponent and dull the type of power that Sabalenka brings to the court.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
The Padres are 17-17 when their opponent scores first.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
Rookie pass-rusher Abdul Carter ‘could be a problem’ for Giants opponents this season.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for opponent
Gary Bedore
july 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
Siegemund has the ability to change the depth, speed, angles and spins of her shots over and over, which can frustrate any opponent and dull the type of power that Sabalenka brings to the court.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
The Padres are 17-17 when their opponent scores first.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
Rookie pass-rusher Abdul Carter ‘could be a problem’ for Giants opponents this season.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for opponent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opponent
Noun
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At the same time, Trump touts his Golden Dome missile shield, meant to protect the homeland and give America greater freedom of action against its foes.—
Hal Brands,
Twin Cities,
13 July 2025
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Instead, Netanyahu, who is seen as a masterful politician by friends and foes alike, is expected to thread the needle.—
Joseph Krauss,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Trump appointed Bondi as attorney general after numerous reports suggested the president wanted a loyalist who would do his bidding and seek retribution against his enemies, after Trump faced pushback in his first term from previous attorneys general like William Barr.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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Still, fun enemy designs – such as one pictured above based on the Hydnellum peckii (bleeding tooth fungus) – already started to come together.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
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The same could be said for other states threatened by nuclear-armed rivals.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
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In the process, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Orgs must adopt the tools and tactics of their adversaries.—
Eyal Benishti,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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Others point out the irony that, as the government fixated on enforcing the veiling law and cracking down on political dissidents under the pretext of fighting foreign subversion, its actual adversaries were quietly infiltrating its most sensitive institutions.—
MOHAMMAD AYATOLLAHI TABAAR,
Foreign Affairs,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opponent. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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