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Synonyms
opponent - 6 dictionary results
op⋅po⋅nent
[uh-poh-nuh
nt]
–noun
| 1. | a person who is on an opposing side in a game, contest, controversy, or the like; adversary. |
–adjective
| 2. | being opposite, as in position. |
| 3. | opposing; adverse; antagonistic. |
| 4. | Anatomy. bringing parts together or into opposition, as a muscle. |
Origin:
1580–90; < L oppōnent- (s. of oppōnēns, prp. of oppōnere to place over, against, or in front of, make an obstacle), equiv. to op- op- + pōn(ere) to place, set, put + -ent- -ent
1580–90; < L oppōnent- (s. of oppōnēns, prp. of oppōnere to place over, against, or in front of, make an obstacle), equiv. to op- op- + pōn(ere) to place, set, put + -ent- -ent

Synonyms:
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.
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.
Antonyms:
1. ally, friend.
1. ally, friend.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To opponent
op·po·nent (ə-pō'nənt) n. One that opposes another or others in a battle, contest, controversy, or debate. See Synonyms at enemy. adj.
[Latin oppōnēns, oppōnent-, present participle of oppōnere, to oppose; see oppose.] op·po'nen·cy n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Opponent
Op*po"nent\, n. 1. One who opposes; an adversary; an antagonist; a foe. --Macaulay. 2. One who opposes in a disputation, argument, or other verbal controversy; specifically, one who attacks some theirs or proposition, in distinction from the respondent, or defendant, who maintains it. How becomingly does Philopolis exercise his office, and seasonably commit the opponent with the respondent, like a long-practiced moderator! --Dr. H. More. Syn: Antagonist; opposer; foe. See Adversary.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : opponent
Spanish:
adversario, oponente,
German:
der, *die Gegner(in),
Japanese:
敵対者
opponent
1588, from L. opponentem (nom. opponens), prp. of opponere "oppose, object to, set against," from ob "against" + ponere "to put, set, place" (see position).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: op·po·nent
Pronunciation: &-'pO-n&nt
Function: noun
: a muscle that opposes or counteracts and limits the action of another
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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