opponents

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   People who compete against you in a game, contest, or election.

   Grammar: Countable; singular is 'opponent'. Use 'opponents' for more than one.

   Patterns

   • someone's opponents
   • defeat/beat opponents
   • face opponents

   She beat all her opponents easily.

   The two opponents shook hands before the match.

   He accused his opponents of cheating.

2. 2nounplural

   People who disagree with a plan, idea, or policy and try to stop it.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'of': opponents of the plan.

   Patterns

   • opponents of something
   • opponents of the government
   • political opponents

   Opponents of the new law gathered outside parliament.

   The mayor ignored his opponents and pushed ahead.

   Opponents argue that the policy will cost too much.

Word forms

Common combinations

political opponents

He called his political opponents liars.

beat an opponent

She beat her opponent in straight sets.

opponents of the plan

Opponents of the plan say it will harm the environment.

face an opponent

Next week we face our toughest opponents yet.

Synonyms and how they differ

rival

A rival is a person or group competing for the same goal; it often suggests a long-term contest, while 'opponent' is more neutral and can be used for a single match.

adversary

Adversary is more formal and often suggests an enemy in a serious conflict; 'opponent' is the usual word for sports and debates.

competitor

A competitor takes part in the same competition; 'opponent' focuses on the direct clash between two sides.

Opposites

Word family

oppose verb

To disagree with something and try to stop it.

opposition noun

Strong disagreement or the people who disagree.

opposed adjective

Strongly against something.

Commonly confused: opponents or opposite?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “opponents”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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