opponent
- 01 B1 Intermediate
someone you play against in a sport or game.
a person or team that competes against another in a sporting contest or game.
Simple“He shook hands with his opponent after the tennis match ended.”
In context“The grandmaster spent hours studying his opponent's previous matches to identify a weakness in her defensive strategy.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'of' or as a direct object in competitive contexts.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
someone who disagrees with a plan, an idea, or a political leader.
a person who disagrees with or resists a proposal, policy, or political figure.
Simple“The senator's political opponents criticized her new tax plan.”
In context“Leading opponents of the proposed highway argued that the environmental impact would be devastating for the local bird population.”
UsageCommonly followed by 'of' when referring to a specific policy or idea.