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opponent

opponent

3.4
On the other side in a fight, game, or argument
  • adjective
  • /əˈpoʊnənt/
translation icon : opositor
  • During the battle, the two opponent armies clashed with intense ferocity.

Examples

  • The opponent factions refused to reach any compromise during the talks.

  • The opponent side was relentless.

  • The debate featured opponent viewpoints on climate policy.

  • They faced an opponent army.

  • The two opponent teams battled fiercely for the championship title.

  • In a heated election, the opponent candidates presented very different visions for the future.

  • During the negotiations, the opponent group remained adamant about their demands.

Synonyms

hostile
vsopponent
98 6.2

From an enemy side, often during war or when one company tries to buy another

is broader, describing a rival side's typical oppositional behavior
adversarial
vsopponent
23 7.4

A situation where people or groups strongly oppose each other

is more about personal or group hostility as a rival trait
antagonistic
vsopponent
16 6.8

Acting in a hostile way toward someone or something

is more about being characteristic of a rival or adversary group
opposing
vsopponent
15 3.4

Being against another person or group

is used especially to describe traits typical of a rival side
oppositional
vsopponent
5 6.6

Showing disagreement or resistance to someone with power

is focused more on rival side character and active hostility
opposed
vsopponent
1 3.5

Against something or someone in opinion and action

implies active hostile stance typical of a rival rather than mere disagreement
contrarious
vsopponent
  • Literature
9.9

Often disagreeing with others on purpose to be difficult

is about active rivalry or hostility rather than stubborn perversity

How Hostile

belligerent
26 7.5
antagonistic
16 6.8
opponent
3.4
hostile
194 4.6
opposed
1 3.5
unopposed
8 4.1

Surface Forms

opponent positive

Morphology

opponent = oppose (transparent) = oppose + ent

The adjective is formed by adding '-ent' to the verb 'oppose' (standard adjectival formation), so its meaning 'opposing' is directly derived.

Etymology

Opponent used as an adjective keeps the same idea: it comes from ob- 'against' and ponere 'to place'. So an opponent group or view is one that stands 'against' another side, which is why the word describes an opposing or hostile side.