Adjacent Words

Opponent definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

OPPO'NENT, a. [L. opponens, oppono; ob and pono, to set, put or lay, that is, to thrust against; Heb. to build, that is, to set, to found, L. fundo.] That opposes; opposite; adverse.
OPPO'NENT, n. One that opposes; particularly, one that opposes in controversy, disputation or argument. It is sometimes applied to the person that begins a dispute by raising objections to a tenet or doctrine, and is correlative to defendant or respondent. In common usage, however, it is applicable to either party in a controversy, denoting any person who opposes another or his cause. Opponent may sometimes be used for adversary, and for antagonist, but not with strict propriety, as the word does not necessarily imply enmity nor bodily strife. Nor is it well used in the sense of rival or competitor.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: characterized by active hostility; "opponent (or opposing) armies" [syn: opponent, opposing] n
1: a contestant that you are matched against [syn: opposition, opponent, opposite]
2: someone who offers opposition [syn: adversary, antagonist, opponent, opposer, resister] [ant: agonist]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Latin opponent-, opponens, present participle of opponere Date: 1560 1. one that takes an opposite position (as in a debate, contest, or conflict) 2. a muscle that opposes or counteracts and limits the action of another II. adjective Date: 1647 1. antagonistic, opposing 2. situated in front

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & adj. --n. a person who opposes or belongs to an opposing side. --adj. opposing, contrary, opposed. Phrases and idioms: opponent muscle a muscle enabling the thumb to be placed front to front against a finger of the same hand. Derivatives: opponency n. Etymology: L opponere opponent- (as OB-, ponere place)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

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 1913 Dictionary

Opponent Op*po"nent, a. [L. opponens, -entis, p. pr. of opponere to set or place against, to oppose; ob (see Ob-) + ponere to place. See Position.] Situated in front; opposite; hence, opposing; adverse; antagonistic. --Pope.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(opponents) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. A politician's opponents are other politicians who belong to a different party or who have different aims or policies. ...Mr Kennedy's opponent in the leadership contest... He described the detention without trial of political opponents as a cowardly act. = adversary N-COUNT: usu with poss 2. In a sporting contest, your opponent is the person who is playing against you. Norris twice knocked down his opponent in the early rounds of the fight... N-COUNT: usu poss N 3. The opponents of an idea or policy do not agree with it and do not want it to be carried out. ...opponents of the spread of nuclear weapons... ? supporter N-COUNT: usu N of n

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. n. Antagonist, adversary, rival, competitor, enemy, foe, adverse party, opposer, opposite. II. a. 1. Opposing, antagonistic, adverse, repugnant, contrary. 2. Opposite. 3. Opposing, rival, emulous.

Moby Thesaurus

adversary, adversative, adverse, alien, antagonist, antagonistic, anti, antipathetic, antithetic, assailant, clashing, combatant, competitive, competitor, con, conflicting, contender, contestant, contradictory, contrary, counter, counteragent, cross, disaccordant, disputant, dissentient, enemy, foe, fractious, hostile, inimical, match, negative, noncooperative, obstinate, opposed, opposer, opposing, opposite, oppositional, oppositive, oppugnant, overthwart, perverse, recalcitrant, refractory, repugnant, rival, the opposition, uncooperative, unfavorable, unfriendly, unpropitious