opponentop‧po‧nent /əˈpəʊnənt $ əˈpoʊ-/ ●●● W3 noun [countable] 
Graf’s opponent in today’s final will be Sukova.leading/main/chief opponent During the primary elections, McCain was Bush’s leading opponent.formidable/worthy opponent In debate he was a formidable opponent. He is admired even by his political opponents.2someone who disagrees with a plan, idea, or system and wants to try to stop or change it OPP proponentopponent of Rodgers was not an opponent of the new airport.bitter/vocal/outspoken opponent an outspoken opponent of gun controlCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1adjectivessomebody's main/chief opponent· Who was her main opponent for the presidential nomination?a leading opponent (=one of the main opponents)· In July the authorities arrested two leading opponents of the government.a strong/tough opponent (=one that is difficult to defeat)· Arizona is a strong opponent, but the Oregon team intend to beat them.a formidable opponent (=a very strong opponent)· In debate, he was a formidable opponent.a dangerous opponent (=one who might defeat you)· In tomorrow's match, he will take on his most dangerous opponent.a political opponent· the president's political opponentsa worthy opponent (=one who deserves respect)· The Democratic Senator has shown himself to be a worthy opponent.verbsface an opponent· The team were facing their final opponent of the season.defeat an opponent· She came within three points of defeating her opponent.outfox/outwit/outmanoeuvre an opponent (=gain an advantage over an opponent by being more intelligent or skilful than they are)· Football is all about outwitting your opponents.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivesthe main/chief opponent· one of the new law's main opponentsa leading opponent (=one of the main opponents, often influencing other people)· She was a leading opponent of gun control in the Senate.a strong opponent (=one who feels strongly that a particular thing is wrong and tries to stop it)· Brennan was a strong opponent of the death penalty.a fierce/bitter opponent (=a very strong opponent, who often expresses their opinions angrily)· She became well-known as a bitter opponent of slavery.a vigorous opponent (=one who opposes something with a lot of energy and determination)· a vigorous opponent of the use of nuclear weaponsan outspoken/vocal opponent (=one who publicly expresses disagreement with something)· He was a vocal opponent of closer relations with the United States.a vociferous opponent (=one who publicly expresses very strong disagreement)· Many residents were vociferous opponents of the plan.
WORD ORIGINopponent
Origin:
1500-1600 Latin present participle of opponere; ➔ OPPOSEEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Brownlee regards Reaney as his most difficult opponent.
- Carson is Seymour's main opponent for the Republican Senate nomination.
- In some countries, any opponent of the government is likely to lose their job.
- Karpov defeated his 24-year-old opponent in 57 moves.
- Manchester United will prove a formidable opponent this season.
- My opponent was much older than I was.
- My opponent was the same age and height as myself.
- One notable opponent of the proposal was the mayor.
- He is also expected to have complete trust in his opponent in spite of all indications to the contrary.
- Highbrow publishers and small bookshops are the most resolute opponents.
- His opponent will be lucky to get seventy thousand Republicans interested enough to cast a primary vote.
- His opponents dismiss his rise in the polls as a mere matter of money.
- Like their rivals, they expect no gifts, no walkovers against an opponent who has lost heart and given up.
- There has been no discussion of Denver, the Raiders' opponent on Oct. 19.
THESAURUSperson
someone who does not like you because you have had a big disagreement with them in the past or someone who opposes you in business or politics: · If that’s how he treats his friends, I’d hate to be his enemy.· In business, it’s best not to make too many enemies.
formal an enemy: · When he retired, he was replaced by his old adversary.· He made the fatal mistake of underestimating his adversary.
literary an enemy: · A guard called out ‘Who goes there – friend or foe?’· his former foes
someone’s main enemy: · In the movie, Batman goes into battle with his arch enemy the Joker.
someone you are competing against, for example in a sports game, competition, or election: · You win the game if you are left with more cards than your opponent.· He is admired even by his political opponents.
written an enemy or opponent that is impossible to defeat – a rather formal use: · In the final, he met his old nemesis, Rafael Nadal.
Longman Language Activatora person or group that opposes something a person or group that opposes something: opponent of: · In some countries, any opponent of the government is likely to lose their job.· One notable opponent of the proposal was the mayor.
a group that is opposing another group, especially the political party or parties whose elected representatives oppose the official government: · Opinion polls showed the opposition pulling ahead in some areas.· Newspapers must reflect the views of the opposition as well as those of the government.
a person or group that opposes something very strongly and tries to stop it or destroy it - used especially when you disapprove of this person or group: enemy of: · the enemies of democracy· an enemy of the Jewish people
someone who plays a game · a game for four players· Rodriguez was voted Player of the Year.good player (=good at playing a game) · I like chess, even though I'm not a very good player.· Wikerson is not as good a player as Phillips.
someone who plays against another person in a game: · Brownlee regards Reaney as his most difficult opponent.· My opponent was much older than I was.
a group of people who play against another group in a game: · You're the best person on the team.· Pub quiz teams often have really silly names.team captain/manager etc: · Nasser Hussain, the England team captain, was injured in the game against the West Indies.
a person or group of people you play against someone you play against in a game or competition: · My opponent was the same age and height as myself.· Karpov defeated his 24-year-old opponent in 57 moves.· Manchester United will prove a formidable opponent this season.
the person or team that you are playing against: · The team won all their games against local opposition, but lost in the international competition.· The opposition fought hard, but had no chance of winning.· Seles had reached the semi-finals without really facing any serious opposition.
WORD SETSace, nounace, verbacrobat, nounacrobatic, adjectiveacrobatics, nounaction replay, nounaerobic, adjectiveaim, nounaim, verball-American, adjectiveall-seater, adjectivearena, nounAstroTurf, nounattack, verbaway, adverbaway, adjectiveback, nounbackhand, nounbackhanded, adjectivebackhander, nounbackspin, nounball, nounball game, nounbaseline, nounbat, nounbench, verbbleachers, nounblock, nounbobble, verbbout, nounbowl, nounbowl, verbbowling alley, nounbowling ball, nounbowling green, nounbox, nounbox, verbboxer, nounbronze, nounbronze medal, nounbye, nouncall, verbcall, nouncap, verbcaptain, nouncaptain, verbcaptaincy, nounchange, verbchanging room, nouncheer, nouncheerleader, nouncheerleading, nounchip, nounchip, verbcircuit training, nounclose season, nounclubhouse, nouncoach, nounconference, nouncontender, nouncourse, nouncourse, verbcourt, nouncover, verbcross, verbcross, nouncross-country, adjectivecrown, nouncup, nouncup final, nouncup tie, nouncurve, noundead, adjectivedecider, noundefence, noundefend, verbdefender, noundefensive, adjectivederby, noundisallow, verbdisqualify, verbdivision, noundivot, noundown, adverbdraft, noundraw, verbdraw, noundribble, verbdribble, noundrive, noundrop, verbdrop goal, noundropkick, noundrop shot, noundrubbing, noundugout, nouneleven, numberequalize, verbequalizer, nouneven, adjectiveevent, nounface, nounfast, adjectivefavourite, nounfeint, nounfield, verbfielder, nounfieldsman, nounfield sports, nounfight, verbfight, nounfighter, nounfinalist, nounfirst half, nounfirst-string, adjectivefixture, nounflat, adjectiveflip, nounfollow-through, nounfootball, nounfootwork, nounform, nounfoul, nounfoul line, nounfriendly, adjectivefull-court press, nounfull time, nounfumble, verbgala, noungame, noungame point, noungate, noungoal, noungoalie, noungoalkeeper, noungoalless, adjectivegoal line, noungoalmouth, noungoalpost, noungoaltender, noungold, noungold medal, noungrand slam, noungrandstand, nounground staff, noungym shoe, noungymslip, nounhalf, nounhalfback, nounhalf nelson, nounhalf-time, nounhammer, nounhandball, nounhand-eye co-ordination, nounhandicap, nounhandspring, nounhandstand, nounhat trick, nounhead start, nounheat, nounheavy, adjectivehiding, nounhome, adjectivein, adverbinfield, nouninjury time, nouninterference, nouninternational, nounjersey, nounjock, nounjockstrap, nounjogging suit, nounjump, nounjump ball, nounjumper, nounjumping jack, nounjump shot, nounjunior varsity, nounlane, nounleague table, nounletter, nounletter, verblevel, verblineman, nounlinesman, nounline-up, nounlocker, nounlocker room, nounluge, nounmallet, nounmanager, nounmark, verbmassacre, nounmassacre, verbmatch, nounmedal, nounmedallist, nounmeeting, nounMexican wave, nounmidfield, nounmisfield, verbmixed doubles, nounmotocross, nounmotor racing, nounmuff, verbmusclebound, adjectivemuscleman, nounnet, nounnet, verbnetball, nounnil, nounno ball, nounoarsman, nounoarswoman, nounobstruction, nounoffense, nounoffensive, adjectiveoffside, adjectiveOlympiad, nounOlympic, adjectiveOlympic Games, the, onside, adjectiveopener, nounopponent, nounout, adverbout, nounoutdistance, verboutsider, nounoverarm, adjectiveoverhand, adjectiveown goal, nounpacesetter, nounpass, verbpass, nounPE, nounpenalty, nounpep rally, nounperiod, nounphoto finish, nounphysical education, nounpitch, nounplace kick, nounplayable, adjectiveplay-by-play, nounplayer, nounplaying field, nounplay-off, nounpoint, nounpole, verbposition, nounpossession, nounpost, nounpreliminary, nounpro-am, nounprofessionalism, nounpromote, verbpromotion, nounPT, nounpull, verbpull-up, nounpummel, verbpunchbag, nounqualifier, nounqualify, verbquarter-final, nounrace, verbracetrack, nounracing, adjectiveracket, nounrain check, nounrally, nounrecord, nounrecord-holder, nounrecreation ground, nounref, nounreferee, nounreferee, verbregatta, nounrelay, nounrelay race, nounrelegate, verbreplay, verbreplay, nounrerun, verbreserve, nounretire, verbreturn, verbrevenge, nounringside, nounroll, nounrookie, nounround, nounround robin, nounrunner, nounrunner-up, nounrun-up, nounsave, verbsave, nounscore, nounscore, verbscorer, nounscratch, verbscratch, adjectivescreen, nounscrimmage, nounselector, nounsemi, nounsemi-final, nounsemi-finalist, nounsemi-professional, adjectiveserve, verbserve, nounserver, nounservice, nounset, nounshoot, verbshoot, nounshot, nounsideline, nounsilver, nounsilver medal, nounskate, nounskipper, nounslaughter, verbslice, verbslick, nounslump, nounsnowmobile, nounsnowshoe, nounsomersault, nounsouthpaw, nounspar, verbsparring partner, nounspectate, verbspectator, nounspectator sport, nounspin, nounsports centre, nounsports day, nounsportsmanship, nounsporty, adjectivespot, verbsprint, verbsquad, nounstadium, nounstagger, verbstart, nounstarter, nounstarting blocks, nounstayer, nounstick, nounstraight, nounstrip, nounstroke, nounstud, nounsub, nounsudden death, nounsweatband, nounsweatpants, nounsweat suit, nountackle, verbtackle, nountalent scout, nountarget, nounteam-mate, nounthree-legged race, nounthrow, nounthrust, verbtie, nountiebreaker, nountight, adjectivetime, verbtimekeeper, nountime out, nountitle, nountitle holder, nountopspin, nountoreador, nountour, nountournament, nountrack, nountrain, verbtransfer fee, nountrophy, nountryout, nounumpire, nounumpire, verbunbeatable, adjectiveundecided, adjectiveunderarm, adverbunderhand, adverbunplaced, adjectiveuppercut, nounvarsity, nounvolley, nounvolley, verbwalking, nounwarm-up, nounwet suit, nounwhippet, nounwhistle, verbwhistle, nounwin, nounwing, nounwinger, nounworkout, nounwristband, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1adjectives He gained a reputation as a forceful member of the party. She was a vocal opponent of the plan.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
1someone who you try to defeat in a competition, game, fight, or argument: · Who was her main opponent for the presidential nomination?
(=one of the main opponents)· In July the authorities arrested two leading opponents of the government.
(=one that is difficult to defeat)· Arizona is a strong opponent, but the Oregon team intend to beat them.
(=a very strong opponent)· In debate, he was a formidable opponent.
(=one who might defeat you)· In tomorrow's match, he will take on his most dangerous opponent.
· the president's political opponents
(=one who deserves respect)· The Democratic Senator has shown himself to be a worthy opponent.
verbs· The team were facing their final opponent of the season.
· She came within three points of defeating her opponent.
(=gain an advantage over an opponent by being more intelligent or skilful than they are)· Football is all about outwitting your opponents.
Meaning 2adjectives· one of the new law's main opponents
(=one of the main opponents, often influencing other people)· She was a leading opponent of gun control in the Senate.
(=one who feels strongly that a particular thing is wrong and tries to stop it)· Brennan was a strong opponent of the death penalty.
(=a very strong opponent, who often expresses their opinions angrily)· She became well-known as a bitter opponent of slavery.
(=one who opposes something with a lot of energy and determination)· a vigorous opponent of the use of nuclear weapons
(=one who publicly expresses disagreement with something)· He was a vocal opponent of closer relations with the United States.
(=one who publicly expresses very strong disagreement)· Many residents were vociferous opponents of the plan.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He gained a reputation as a forceful member of the party. She was a vocal opponent of the plan.· Supporters of Mr Paul Davies, his chief opponent, believe he won on the second ballot.· Anton von Werner, chief Secession opponent, was not an anti-semite.· Mr Smith's chief opponent, Mr Bryan Gould, does have an explanation.· Gregory's chief opponent in Tours in the late 570's was the comes Leudast.· In the political crisis of 1258, however, John Fitzgeoffrey was one of the king's chief opponents.
· Clinton has a full war chest and no Democratic opponent to worry about.· His rise to Senate majority leader was in no small measure a reward for his debating success against Democratic opponents.· He has challenged his Democratic opponent in electorally more productive areas, such as public funding for abortions.· It was time to start training for the real battle in November against their Democratic opponents.· His Democratic opponent in the election in October would be Bennet Johnston who had held the seat for 18 years.· Men favored Republican candidates over their Democratic opponents, 51 percent to 47 percent.
· The character who can maintain such an idea is a formidable opponent to established order.· A formidable opponent, I suspect.· She had no vision of money as an independent power, or a formidable opponent.· Durable Free State prop Piet Bester has proved a technically formidable opponent.
· Mr Rutskoi has emerged as a leading opponent of the economic reforms introduced by his boss, Boris Yeltsin.· At a national level, Sherland was closely involved with the leading Puritan opponents of Crown policies.· The National Front, where most leading opponents l had grouped, could not operate at home, but it re-formed abroad.
· The main opponent was Justice Minister David Libai.
· Many councils are controlled by their political opponents, even in areas where Conservatives hold parliamentary seats with quite large majorities.· In his early days, as congressman, senator and vice president, he was a vicious political opponent.· Three hours into his term, a group of political opponents arrived, declared the city in chaos and demanded Gonzalez resign.· Growing confrontation with political opponents rapidly became a method of obtaining much-needed publicity, once Rothermere's support had evaporated.· None of us reckoned on the combined firepower of the national spotlight, powerful political opponents and, yes, our shortcomings.· That was one way of looking at it-modern political opponents.· The president has denied the allegations, which he said were fabricated by his political opponents.
· Wilder narrowly defeated his Republican opponent in November 1989, his 6,700-vote victory being confirmed only after a recount.· She was almost certain to defeat her Republican opponent Maurice Turner, a former police chief, in the November election.· Many GOPers thought he made the offer to protect himself from Republican opponents on Capitol Hill.· His vigorous attacks on his Republican opponent and Dewey's polite, complacent campaign made a sharp contrast.· But he and his Republican Congressional opponents have yet to decide on a seven-year plan to balance the budget.· Both his interventions greatly aided Bill Clinton in defeating his Republican opponents.
· Animals also restrain their aggression because it is disadvantageous to fight stronger opponents - it is better to run away.· Phil Gramm, against whom he will square off in the Louisiana caucuses next week, his strongest opponent.· The Liberal victory in Quebec was a personal victory for Chretien, a strong opponent of separatism.· The strongest opponents are business groups.· If an animal is to avoid fighting with another, stronger animal, it must first test how strong his opponent is.· Though there are strong opponents, munchkin aficionados remain steadfast.
· Many are vocal opponents of liberalised international markets in general.· Fife Symington has been a vocal opponent of a Proposition 187 movement in Arizona.· Switchboard became a vocal opponent of the tactics, providing material for parliamentary and media attacks upon the practices.· Has Visa International -- one of the most vocal opponents of so-called ambush marketing -- ended up ambushing itself?· As his more vocal opponents began to demand his resignation, Wahid insisted he still had Megawati's support.
· Belfast proved worthy opponents, attacking tenaciously and not giving at the back.· The 49ers want to validate their 7-1 first-half record with a victory over a worthy opponent.· An Orc's life is therefore spent in constant battle either with his fellow Orcs or against some worthy opponent.· Roper, who is as sharp with a put-down as he is with a knockdown, has run out of worthy opponents.· Thus, we respect a worthy opponent in the sense that we are alert to his strength.· Hilary, he's not a worthy opponent.
NOUN· Buchanan, however, said she was pleased by the selection of abortion opponent Rep.· Buchanan made a special appeal to abortion opponents, a group of voters whose support he generally shares with Gramm and Keyes.· Still, Buchanan appeals to abortion opponents, gun rights advocates and religious conservatives.· Throughout the 1992 election campaign, it became quite clear just how vehemently abortion opponents feared the coming of a pro-choice president.· Henry Hyde, R-Ill., a longtime abortion opponent tapped by Dole to chair the committee crafting the official party platform.· The draft retains the abortion rights position of the 1992 platform, but adds language suggested by abortion opponent Rep.· All calls for accommodation masked the gulf that divides abortion opponents and supporters.
VERB· Instead of building a case for ourselves we attack the opponent or his case.· Nevertheless, while Daley avoided attacking his opponent, the Machine was traveling its usual course.· Will they view it as an opportunity to attack their opponents or deliver empty palaver?· That way, the press could attack his opponent personally.
· The Belfast pair then joined forces to beat the same opponents 6-4 6-0 in the doubles.· In the final, played at Coombe Hill Golf Club, she beat her opponent 5 and 4.· The 18-year-old from North Shields beat off eight opponents and a tendon injury to take the lead after the opening compulsory figures.· The Women's World Heavyweight Champion had defended her title at three consecutive events, each time soundly beating her opponents.· Quickly drawing back his hand, he must decide in a split second whether to run, or physically beat his opponent.· The more energy you get, the easier it is to beat opponents.· He needed seven match points before beating his opponent.· He beat opponents who outweighed him by 70 or 80 pounds.
· Wilder narrowly defeated his Republican opponent in November 1989, his 6,700-vote victory being confirmed only after a recount.· Dole survived with a tactic that haunts him to this day: He used the abortion issue to defeat his opponent.· In their first test at the polls as premiers, they were both defeated by conservative opponents.· Both his interventions greatly aided Bill Clinton in defeating his Republican opponents.· She was almost certain to defeat her Republican opponent Maurice Turner, a former police chief, in the November election.· It has leveled the electoral playing field and allowed less well-funded candidates to defeat their better-financed opponents.
· We faced lacklustre opponents in the depth of recession.· Despite all of the power and advantages of chess computers, many players would rather face a human opponent.· He will face his next opponent unarmed.· His son faces a tougher opponent in Al Gore.· UConn might face some opponents who like such an up-tempo transition, but Virginia is not one of them.· The Bruins face an opponent that likes to use each and every second of the shot clock.· No, this time the Man of Steel faces a much deadlier opponent: Apathy.
· Thereafter he quickly became its most renowned liberal member, leading some opponents to accuse him of judicial activism.· Y., and a leading opponent of the bill.· We have an attorney general who was a leading opponent of gun control in the Senate.
· Sir John fenced on, parrying sideways, backwards and forwards, playing with his opponents.· Capablanca the return match he deserved, but charitably agreed to play such less dangerous opponents as Yefim Bogolyubov and Max Euwe.· His team would appear to be playing their opponents in reverse of their ranking order.
Graf’s opponent in today’s final will be Sukova.leading/main/chief opponent During the primary elections, McCain was Bush’s leading opponent.formidable/worthy opponent In debate he was a formidable opponent. He is admired even by his political opponents.2someone who disagrees with a plan, idea, or system and wants to try to stop or change it OPP proponentopponent of Rodgers was not an opponent of the new airport.bitter/vocal/outspoken opponent an outspoken opponent of gun controlCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1adjectivessomebody's main/chief opponent· Who was her main opponent for the presidential nomination?a leading opponent (=one of the main opponents)· In July the authorities arrested two leading opponents of the government.a strong/tough opponent (=one that is difficult to defeat)· Arizona is a strong opponent, but the Oregon team intend to beat them.a formidable opponent (=a very strong opponent)· In debate, he was a formidable opponent.a dangerous opponent (=one who might defeat you)· In tomorrow's match, he will take on his most dangerous opponent.a political opponent· the president's political opponentsa worthy opponent (=one who deserves respect)· The Democratic Senator has shown himself to be a worthy opponent.verbsface an opponent· The team were facing their final opponent of the season.defeat an opponent· She came within three points of defeating her opponent.outfox/outwit/outmanoeuvre an opponent (=gain an advantage over an opponent by being more intelligent or skilful than they are)· Football is all about outwitting your opponents.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivesthe main/chief opponent· one of the new law's main opponentsa leading opponent (=one of the main opponents, often influencing other people)· She was a leading opponent of gun control in the Senate.a strong opponent (=one who feels strongly that a particular thing is wrong and tries to stop it)· Brennan was a strong opponent of the death penalty.a fierce/bitter opponent (=a very strong opponent, who often expresses their opinions angrily)· She became well-known as a bitter opponent of slavery.a vigorous opponent (=one who opposes something with a lot of energy and determination)· a vigorous opponent of the use of nuclear weaponsan outspoken/vocal opponent (=one who publicly expresses disagreement with something)· He was a vocal opponent of closer relations with the United States.a vociferous opponent (=one who publicly expresses very strong disagreement)· Many residents were vociferous opponents of the plan.