Sports / B2

uh-POHN-uh-nt/əˈpəʊnənt/

An opponent is someone you compete or argue against: a political opponent, her opponent in the final, opponents of the bill. Rival is close in sport and business; enemy is stronger and more personal or military. Oppose is the verb. In speech, the other side is enough. Do not call a teammate an opponent, and do not use opponent for a problem (that is an obstacle).

Meaning

A person or group you compete against or disagree with.

Examples

• “Her opponent in the debate argued for a complete ban.”
• “Opponents of the runway published a rival set of noise figures.”
• “She thanked her opponent after the debate, which is civil, not friendship.”

Good to know

an opponent of + plan; a political / sporting opponent. Close: rival. Stronger: enemy. Verb: oppose. Not a teammate or a thing in the way.

Near in meaning

rival

Topics

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