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
Trump has repeatedly drawn an equivalence between the Russia controversy and the Epstein case, suggesting both amounted to conspiracy-mongering by his political opponents.
—
Josh Wingrove, Fortune, 19 July 2025
Mixed martial arts competitor Lukas has just handily defeated his opponent and celebrates with his wife, child and friends backstage, setting the scene for a nimble combination of communal bonding and looming horrors.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 July 2025
For years, Trump and his allies, including Patel and Bongino, promoted conspiracy theories about Epstein’s death and suggested that damaging evidence would eventually surface, implicating political opponents.
—Nik Popli, Time, 18 July 2025
This machinery radicalizes communities, recruits operatives, launders funds, and targets opponents abroad.
—Roya Boroumand, Time, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for opponent
Josh Wingrove, Fortune, 19 July 2025
Mixed martial arts competitor Lukas has just handily defeated his opponent and celebrates with his wife, child and friends backstage, setting the scene for a nimble combination of communal bonding and looming horrors.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 July 2025
For years, Trump and his allies, including Patel and Bongino, promoted conspiracy theories about Epstein’s death and suggested that damaging evidence would eventually surface, implicating political opponents.
—Nik Popli, Time, 18 July 2025
This machinery radicalizes communities, recruits operatives, launders funds, and targets opponents abroad.
—Roya Boroumand, Time, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for opponent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opponent
Noun
-
The club’s 48 points are the most league-wide, but fellow Eastern Conference foes Nashville SC and Philadelphia Union aren’t far behind.—
Jenny Catlin,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
-
Ernst said warm things about Nikki Haley, Trump’s top primary foe, but quickly backed him after Haley dropped out in 2024.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
They are professedly based on hunches that the enemy will attack, occupy or conquer at some future time unless the enemy is obliterated.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
24 July 2025
-
Iris and Isaac’s idyll is interrupted by the enemy of all great budding romances: the truth.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
The same could be said for other states threatened by nuclear-armed rivals.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
In the process, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
The breach was later attributed to a foreign adversary targeting airport infrastructure, and although no lives were lost, the impact on travel, commerce and public confidence was significant.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
In the last year, Israel has managed to significantly degrade the capabilities of its adversaries, particularly Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and its June conflict with Iran – with the help of the U.S. – was widely seen as having dealt a significant blow to Tehran’s abilities to harm the Jewish state.—
Natasha Turak,
CNBC,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Opponent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opponent. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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