Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for opponent. Search instead for opponerande.
Definitions

opponent

[uh-poh-nuhnt] / əˈpoʊ nənt /
NOUN
person with whom one competes
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adversary aspirant candidate challenger competitor enemy foe opposition player rival
STRONG
antagonist anti assailant bandit bidder con contestant disputant entrant litigant match opposer
WEAK
boss counteragent dark horse dissentient oppugnant
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ally assistant friend helper
WEAK
associate colleague

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.

His opponent was a 20-year-old prodigy from Uzbekistan named Javokhir Sindarov.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

At the Candidates, one opponent tried to lead Sindarov away from the common lines that grandmasters tend to study, hoping that he could outwit the 20-year-old in a battle of instinct and intellect, not memorization.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

She had 16 in a lower-scoring performance against Texas on Friday, but her imposing defense and ability to move as fluidly as a guard make her a matchup headache for any opponent.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

However, Price was far more dominant in round two, using speed to her advantage against her significantly taller opponent to land a string of clean punches.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

While waiting for his opponent to serve, he rapidly twisted the racket, bounced from foot to foot, and swayed his body, always ready to move to either side of the court.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady