1
as in foes
one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict
in martial arts, before the match begins, always bow to your opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enemies
one that is hostile toward another
the senator has many political opponents who would love to ruin his career
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of opponents
The decision drew immediate fire from El-Sayed's primary opponents and national Democratic figures, forcing a rare public reckoning over how far the party should go to recapture young men who abandoned it in record numbers in 2024.
—
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Whoever wins the primary will likely win the November general election, and McAdams faces a half-dozen Democratic opponents.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
At the time, Republicans did not back the plan and opponents argued the measure deprived people of due crisis and failed to address the needs of individuals in a crisis.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
What’s more, those opponents say, the measure would allow foster kids to be placed in unlicensed residential facilities that are not regulated or overseen by the state.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
But opponents argue that the measure would actually weaken the 8-30g by crediting communities with affordable housing progress even if their new modular housing goes to mid-income tenants and buyers.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
The other two Democratic opponents are political newcomers.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2026
The Illini beat all four NCAA Tournament opponents by double digits, including a physical battle with Houston in the Sweet 16 and a duel with Big Ten rival Iowa to reach the Final Four.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Booker is widely expected to cruise to reelection this year, but New Jersey has a primary in June, and Booker has multiple opponents (all of them longshots).
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Whoever wins the primary will likely win the November general election, and McAdams faces a half-dozen Democratic opponents.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
At the time, Republicans did not back the plan and opponents argued the measure deprived people of due crisis and failed to address the needs of individuals in a crisis.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
What’s more, those opponents say, the measure would allow foster kids to be placed in unlicensed residential facilities that are not regulated or overseen by the state.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
But opponents argue that the measure would actually weaken the 8-30g by crediting communities with affordable housing progress even if their new modular housing goes to mid-income tenants and buyers.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
The other two Democratic opponents are political newcomers.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 30 Mar. 2026
The Illini beat all four NCAA Tournament opponents by double digits, including a physical battle with Houston in the Sweet 16 and a duel with Big Ten rival Iowa to reach the Final Four.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Booker is widely expected to cruise to reelection this year, but New Jersey has a primary in June, and Booker has multiple opponents (all of them longshots).
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opponents
Noun
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In the horror sequel, Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail return to face new foes as well the old murderous animatronic animals of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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The teams are potential first-round playoff foes, depending on how high the 10th-place Hornets can climb in the conference standings.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These flowers support insects with small mouthparts, including parasitoid wasps, small native bees, lacewings, and syrphid flies – all excellent natural enemies of cucumber pests and a few that also provide pollination.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
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Bondi's replacement will have to answer for much bigger changes at the traditionally apolitical Justice Department, which for the first time in recent history has actively pursued investigations into the president's political enemies under Bondi's leadership.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Dublin congressman told KRON that the White House hopes to discredit him in the race as a frequent critic and to boost the chances of his Republican rivals.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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But, despite the lightning speed at which the Chinese AI industry is moving, it’s still seen to be playing catch-up with its American rivals.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Those developments may have created blind spots for Western adversaries.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
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In the post–Cold War period, some in the United States believed that Russia was prepared to deliberately escalate any conflict—including through the use of nuclear weapons—to force its adversaries to back down.—
Nancy A. Youssef,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the first episode’s Elimination Challenge‚ which was focused on North Carolina’s state vegetable, sweet potatoes — Cochran cooked up a pork loin in the kitchen at La Belle Helene that wasn’t quite cooked through, landing her in the bottom three competitors.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
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To help resolve these dilemmas, European industry leaders are calling for government support, including subsidies and tax breaks, to level the playing field with Chinese competitors whose products come at unbeatable prices.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opponents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opponents. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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