opponent

Borrowed from Latin oppōnēns (“opposing”), present active participle of oppōnō (“I oppose”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /əˈpəʊnənt/

Audio (Southern England):

Duration: 2 seconds.0:02

Noun

opponent (plural opponents)

1. 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.

   The person who ran against her in the last election proved to be a formidable opponent.

   During the crackdown, many opponents of the regime were arrested.

1. 1. One who opposes another physically (in a fight, sport, game, or competition). [ quotations ▼]
   2. One who opposes another in words (in a dispute, argument or controversy). [ quotations ▼]
   3. One who is opposed or objects (to a policy, course of action or set of ideas). [ quotations ▼]

      She was a dedicated opponent of the death penalty.

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