From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Opponent \Op*po"nent\, adjective [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.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
1. One who opposes; an adversary; an antagonist; a foe. --Macaulay.
2. One who opposes in a disputation, argument, or other verbal controversy; specifically, one who attacks some thesis or proposition, in distinction from the respondent, or defendant, who maintains it.
How becomingly does Philopolis exercise his office, and seasonably commit the opponent with the respondent, like a long-practiced moderator! --Dr. H. More.
Syn: Antagonist; opposer; foe. See {Adversary}.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
adjective
1: characterized by active hostility; "opponent (or opposing) armies" [syn: {opposing}]
noun
1: a contestant that you are matched against [syn: {opposition}, {opposite}]
2: someone who offers opposition [syn: {adversary}, {antagonist}, {opposer}, {resister}] [ant: {agonist}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
53 Moby Thesaurus words for "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, unpropitious
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