Meaning of Opponent | Babel Free

Definitions

1. One who opposes another; one who works or takes a position against someone or something; one who attempts to stop the progress of someone or something.
2. One who opposes another physically (in a fight, sport, game, or competition).
3. One who opposes another in words (in a dispute, argument or controversy).
4. One who is opposed or objects (to a policy, course of action or set of ideas).
5. The participant who opens an academic debate by putting forward objections to a theological or philosophical thesis.
   historical

Equivalents

Examples

“The person who ran against her in the last⟳ election proved to be a formidable opponent.”

“During the crackdown, many opponents of the regime were arrested.”

“1720, Alexander Pope, The Iliad of Homer, London: Bernard Lintott, Volume 6, “Observations on the Twenty-Third Book,” no. 39, p. 136, In the Chariot-Race Achilles is represented as being able to conquer every Opponent […]”

“[…] he slid his right hand down to his left, and with the full swing⟳ of the weapon struck his opponent on the left side of the head, who instantly measured his length upon the green sward.”

“[…] it is possible for a good [draughts] player to defeat⟳ an opponent without capturing his pieces.”

“It is easier to confound than to convince⟳ an opponent; the former may be effected by a turn⟳ that has more happiness than truth in it.”

““What more have⟳ you to say⟳?” she asked, rather in the tone in which a person might address an opponent of adult age than such as is ordinarily used to a child.”

“She was a dedicated opponent of the death penalty.”

“Their Oath is to maintain⟳ the Romish-Catholick Religion, and persecute all Opponents to it.”

“My own⟳ friends had been among the bitterest opponents of any proposal to visit⟳ the Captain and his daughters, only twelve months before; and now he was even admitted in the tabooed hours before twelve.”

“We make⟳ the argument appere slender, when we receiue it laughyngly, and declare⟳ by wordes, euen at the first, that it is nothyng to the purpose, and so abashe the opponent.”

“[…] diuinitie disputations, in all which those learned opponents, respondents, & moderators, quited themselues like⟳ themselues, sharplie and soundlie, besides all other solemne sermons & lectures.”

“[…] by the many Disputes that rise⟳ from hence, Mens Wits were confounded with their matters, Truth was lost & Brotherhood destroyed: thus the Devil acted the Part both of Opponent and Defendant, and managed the Passions of both Parties to his End⟳, which was DISCORD.”

“[…] this untoward Method allows him who is the Respondent, to prevaricate from his Duty, and turn⟳ Opponent: Which confounds those two Offices, and perverts all the Laws of Reasoning or Discoursing.”

CEFR level