1
as in foes
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 enemies
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 opponents
Many jurisdictions virtually ceased enforcing the law against dangerous, repeat offenders, while weaponizing law enforcement against political opponents like me.
—
NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
Rarely do Presidents mention their political opponents by name during joint sessions of Congress.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
Only seven of the final 20 games are against opponents in a playoff position and two of those are against the Kings, whom the Blues beat 4-1 last week.
—Jeremy Rutherford, The Athletic, 5 Mar. 2025
Attracted by factors such as Petco Park, competitive and interesting Padres teams (and their opponents), baseball itself, the desire for social connection to something larger and San Diego’s climate/coastal scenery, many folks are willing to pay for tickets, food, drink, parking and merchandise.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
But those opponents’ claims are wildly exaggerated.
—David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2025
Against both opponents, San Diego won the possession game by a large margin.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
The third meeting began with the Rangers on the verge of crossing into playoff position and the Islanders below them and needing to overcome five other opponents.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
If Lozano can’t play, opponents will gang up on Dreyer, who indeed saw tighter coverage Saturday night after his fellow wing exited.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
Rarely do Presidents mention their political opponents by name during joint sessions of Congress.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
Only seven of the final 20 games are against opponents in a playoff position and two of those are against the Kings, whom the Blues beat 4-1 last week.
—Jeremy Rutherford, The Athletic, 5 Mar. 2025
Attracted by factors such as Petco Park, competitive and interesting Padres teams (and their opponents), baseball itself, the desire for social connection to something larger and San Diego’s climate/coastal scenery, many folks are willing to pay for tickets, food, drink, parking and merchandise.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
But those opponents’ claims are wildly exaggerated.
—David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2025
Against both opponents, San Diego won the possession game by a large margin.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
The third meeting began with the Rangers on the verge of crossing into playoff position and the Islanders below them and needing to overcome five other opponents.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
If Lozano can’t play, opponents will gang up on Dreyer, who indeed saw tighter coverage Saturday night after his fellow wing exited.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opponents
Noun
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If that's not enough, then there are even new weapons — the Master Sword, Arwing Guns, and a Chain Chomp that homes in on foes once launched.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
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The two longtime Pac-12 foes spent their first Big Ten season fighting for pride and position — and, yes, a whole lot more.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 has mainly been invoked during wartime in order for the federal government to control immigration of the United States’s enemies.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
22 Mar. 2025
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But as his king’s new wife Jane Seymour (Kate Phillips) fails to provide him a male heir and an uprising in the north of England threatens the delicate state of the realm, Cromwell’s enemies begin to circle while the king (Damian Lewis) grows ever more unpredictable.—
Katie Kilkenny,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This is where subsidy cooperation with allies and partners can help to diversify risk, share costs, and create collective protections against common adversaries.—
Chad P. Bown,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Mar. 2025
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Other adversaries have produced large numbers of cheap drones and missiles that allow for low-cost airstrikes.—
Stacie L. Pettyjohn,
Foreign Affairs,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For example, an agency with a proprietary tool that checks your content’s ranking against your competitors will grant you a significant advantage.—
Bar Maimon,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Your competitors are experimenting already.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Opponents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opponents. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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