opponent

opponent — noun

1. someone who works or speaks against an idea, law, or action because they want it

1.nounB2
Definition

someone who works or speaks against an idea, law, or action because they want it changed or stopped.

Example

Local opponents of the airport plan filled the town hall.

opponents of + plan

Several opponents spoke outside parliament before the vote on Friday.

Common collocations
  • vocal opponent
  • leading opponent
  • staunch opponent
  • opponent of the plan
  • opponent of the law
Synonyms
  • critic

    focuses on saying what is wrong, not always on trying to stop something

  • objector

    often used for a specific formal objection

  • protester

    stresses public action, especially in the street

  • dissenter

    more formal and often used for minority disagreement

Antonyms
  • supporter

    someone who is in favor of the idea or plan

  • advocate

    someone who actively argues for something

Grammar Patterns

opponent of + plan/policy/law

become/remain an opponent

leading/vocal opponent

Usage Note

Usually followed by 'of' plus the idea, law, or plan resisted. Distinguish from noun/2: this sense is about disagreement or activism, not a person facing you in a match.

Common Mistakes

She is an opponent for the new law.
She is an opponent of the new law.
use 'of' after 'opponent' when naming the thing someone resists.

2. the person, team, or side you are trying to beat in a game, match, debate, or ot

2.nounB2
Definition

the person, team, or side you are trying to beat in a game, match, debate, or other contest.

Example

Mia studied her opponent's serves before the tennis final.

opponent's + move/serve

Our opponents scored twice in the first ten minutes.

Common collocations
  • tough opponent
  • worthy opponent
  • main opponent
  • face an opponent
  • beat an opponent
Synonyms
  • rival

    often suggests repeated competition over time

  • competitor

    broader and common in business as well as sport

  • adversary

    more formal and more serious in tone

  • challenger

    especially someone trying to beat the current leader or champion

Antonyms
  • teammate

    someone on your own side in a game or contest

  • ally

    a person or side working with you rather than against you

Grammar Patterns

face an opponent

beat an opponent

opponent in a match/debate

Usage Note

Common after verbs like 'face', 'beat', 'study', or 'respect', and often paired with sport, game, or debate contexts. Distinguish from noun/1: here the focus is direct competition, not public disagreement with a policy.

Common Mistakes

My opponent helped me score the goal.
My teammate helped me score the goal.
an 'opponent' is on the other side, not on your own side.

opponent — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

'Opponent' is the most neutral word for the person or side facing you in a match, debate, election, or other direct contest. 'Rival' often suggests a longer relationship or a fight for the same place, so two schools or brands can be rivals for years. 'Competitor' is broader and is common in business as well as sport. 'Adversary' is more formal and sounds stronger, often used for serious conflict, court cases, or strategy. Use 'opponent' when you simply mean the other side in one event: 'Lina shook hands with her opponent after the bout.' Use 'rival' when the competition feels ongoing: 'Taipei and Kaohsiung remain rivals for major events.'

opponent ↗rival ↗competitor ↗adversary

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Opponent comes from a Latin verb meaning 'put against' or 'set against'. English took it through French and learned Latin use to name a person on the other side of an argument, contest, or fight. The core idea has stayed the same: someone or something placed against another side.