# opponent

/əˈpoʊnənt/ (US) · /əpˈəʊnənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/opponent
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. competitor in a game

noun · CEFR B1

someone you play against in a sport or game.

For teachers: a person or team that competes against another in a sporting contest or game.

- He shook hands with his opponent after the tennis match ended.
- The grandmaster spent hours studying his opponent's previous matches to identify a weakness in her defensive strategy.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of' or as a direct object in competitive contexts.

### 2. political or ideological rival

noun · CEFR B2

someone who disagrees with a plan, an idea, or a political leader.

For teachers: a person who disagrees with or resists a proposal, policy, or political figure.

- The senator's political opponents criticized her new tax plan.
- Leading opponents of the proposed highway argued that the environmental impact would be devastating for the local bird population.

Usage: Commonly followed by 'of' when referring to a specific policy or idea.

## Examples

- He shook hands with his opponent after the match.
- The leading candidate faced a tough challenge from her political opponent during the televised debate.
- While the senator is a fierce opponent of the new tax law, he remains open to compromise if the environmental clauses are strengthened.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.