opponent

noun

One who opposes another; one who works or takes a position against someone or something; one who attempts to stop the progress of someone or something.

One who opposes another physically (in a fight, sport, game, or competition).

One who opposes another in words (in a dispute, argument or controversy).

One who is opposed or objects (to a policy, course of action or set of ideas).

(historical) The participant who opens an academic debate by putting forward objections to a theological or philosophical thesis.

adjective

(obsolete) Opposing; adverse; antagonistic.

(obsolete) Situated in front; opposite.

Roots

ponopon- · Latin · put, place

Synonyms for opponent

adversaryn opposern opposingadj foen oppugnantadj antagonistn enemyn rivaln contendern competitorn

Synonyms & related words for opponent

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of opponent — including adversary, opposer, opposing, foe, oppugnant, antagonist. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to opponent

Explore words related to opponent — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include opposition, oppugns, foeman, resister, challenger, defeats, overmatch, defeating. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for opponent

Common synonyms for opponent include adversary, opposer, opposing, foe, oppugnant, antagonist, enemy, rival — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does opponent come from?

The word opponent breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root pon-, from Latin pono (“put, place”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.