Word Study
opponent
CIDE DICTIONARY
opponent, 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. [1913 Webster]
opponent, n.
- One who opposes; an adversary; an antagonist; a foe. Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
- One who opposes in a disputation, argument, or other verbal controversy; specifically, one who attacks some thesis or proposition, in distinction from the
respondent , ordefendant , who maintains it. [1913 Webster]"How becomingly does Philopolis exercise his office, and seasonably commit the opponent with the respondent, like a long-practiced moderator!" [1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Antagonist; opposer; foe. See Adversary.
OXFORD DICTIONARY
opponent, n. & adj.
--n. a person who opposes or belongs to an opposing side.
--adj. opposing, contrary, opposed.
--n. a person who opposes or belongs to an opposing side.
--adj. opposing, contrary, opposed.
Idiom
opponent muscle a muscle enabling the thumb to be placed front to front against a finger of the same hand.
Derivative
opponency n.
Etymology
L opponere opponent- (as OB-, ponere place)
THESAURUS
opponent
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, unpropitiousROGET THESAURUS
opponent
Hindrance
N hindrance, prevention, preclusion, obstruction, stoppage, embolus, embolism, infarct, interruption, interception, interclusion, hindrance, impedition, retardment, retardation, embarrassment, oppilation, coarctation, stricture, restriction, restraint, inhibition, blockade, interference, interposition, obtrusion, discouragement, discountenance, impediment, let, obstacle, obstruction, knot, knag, check, hitch, contretemps, screw loose, grit in the oil, bar, stile, barrier, turnstile, turnpike, gate, portcullis, beaver dam, trocha, barricade, wall, dead wall, sea wall, levee breakwater, groyne, bulkhead, block, buffer, stopper, boom, dam, weir, burrock, drawback, objection, stumbling-block, stumbling-stone, lion in the path, snag, snags and sawyers, encumbrance, incumbrance, clog, skid, shoe, spoke, drag, drag chain, drag weight, stay, stop, preventive, prophylactic, load, burden, fardel, onus, millstone round one's neck, impedimenta, dead weight, lumber, pack, nightmare, Ephialtes, incubus, old man of the sea, remora, difficulty, insuperable, obstacle, estoppel, ill wind, head wind, trammel, tether, hold back, counterpoise, damper, wet blanket, hinderer, marplot, killjoy, party pooper, party crasher, interloper, trail of a red herring, opponent, hindering, obstructive, obstruent, impeditive, impedient, intercipient, prophylactic, impedimentary, in the way of, unfavorable, onerous, burdensome, cumbrous, cumbersome, obtrusive, hindered, windbound, waterlogged, heavy laden, hard pressed, unassisted &c (assist), single-handed, alone, deserted, occurrent nubes.Opponent
N opponent, antagonist, adversary, adverse party, opposition, enemy, the other side, assailant, oppositionist, obstructive, brawler, wrangler, brangler, disputant, filibuster, obstructionist, malcontent, Jacobin, Fenian, demagogue, reactionist, rival, competitor, bete noir.Enemy
N enemy, antagonist, foe, foeman, open enemy, bitter enemy, opponent, back friend, public enemy, enemy to society, every hand being against one, he makes no friend who never made a foe, with friends like that, who needs enemies?, Lord protect me from my friends, I can protect myself from my enemies.For further exploring for "opponent" in Webster Dictionary Online