a contestant that you are matched against
"The boxer stepped into the ring to face his opponent in the championship match."
someone who offers opposition
"The new policy faced strong resistance from an opponent within the committee."
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 team's new opponent was determined to stop their championship run at all costs."
One who opposes another physically (in a fight, sport, game, or competition).
"The boxer stepped into the ring to face his opponent in the championship match."
In plain English: An opponent is someone you are competing against or fighting with.
"The team worked hard to defeat their opponent in the final match."
Usage: Use "opponent" for any rival in an argument, debate, or contest rather than simply describing someone as opposing you. In sports and games, it specifically refers to the other team or player competing against yours.
Opposing; adverse; antagonistic.
"The opponent winds battered the coastline, creating a scene of wild destruction."
In plain English: An opponent adjective describes someone who is trying to stop you from winning an argument, game, or competition.
"The opponent team played with great spirit today."
The word opponent comes from the Latin verb oppōnō, which means "to place in front" or "to set against." It entered English through the form oppōnēns, meaning "opposing," to describe someone who stands in opposition.