opponent

[ uh-poh-nuhnt ]
/ əˈpoʊ nənt /

noun

a person who is on an opposing side in a game, contest, controversy, or the like; adversary.

adjective

being opposite, as in position.
opposing; adverse; antagonistic.
Anatomy. bringing parts together or into opposition, as a muscle.

Origin of opponent

1580–90; < Latin oppōnent- (stem of oppōnēns, present participle of oppōnere to place over, against, or in front of, make an obstacle), equivalent to op- op- + pōn(ere) to place, set, put + -ent- -ent

SYNONYMS FOR opponent

1 antagonist. Opponent, competitor, rival refer to persons engaged in a contest. Opponent is the most impersonal, meaning merely one who opposes; perhaps one who continually blocks and frustrates or one who happens to be on the opposite side in a temporary contest: an opponent in a debate. Competitor emphasizes the action in striving against another, or others, for a definite, common goal: competitors in business. Rival has both personal and emotional connotations; it emphasizes the idea that (usually) two persons are struggling to attain the same object: rivals for an office.

Example sentences from the Web for opponent

British Dictionary definitions for opponent

opponent
/ (əˈpəʊnənt) /

noun

a person who opposes another in a contest, battle, etc
anatomy an opponent muscle

adjective

opposite, as in position
anatomy (of a muscle) bringing two parts into opposition
opposing; contrary

Derived forms of opponent

opponency, noun

Word Origin for opponent

C16: from Latin oppōnere to oppose, from ob- against + pōnere to place