opponent

noun

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.

   “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.”

2. 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.

   “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.”

3. 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.

   “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.”

4. 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.

   “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.”

5. (historical)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.

   “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.”

adj

1. (obsolete)Opposing; adverse; antagonistic.

   “[…] we are to consider enemies as men opponent to peace and justice, and to these they are by warrs to be reduced; And no other ends in the pursuite of enemies by sword and hostile Acts are to be sought for […]”

   “Young Ithacus advanc’d, defies the foe, Poising his lifted lance in act to throw: The savage renders vain the wound decreed, And springs impetuous with opponent speed!”

   “The reasons you have urged are indeed weighty: yet they have never made an impression so deep upon my mind, as not to take flight, and leave their opponent arguments in some sort the victors.”

   “Let it not be supposed, that by “catholic,” I mean to designate men who are lax in their principles, and alike indifferent to all religious systems. On the contrary, they are more earnestly attached to truth, and more opponent to sin than others […]”

2. (obsolete)Situated in front; opposite.

   “Her sympathizing Lover takes his Stand High on th’ opponent Bank […]”