How to Use opponent in a Sentence

opponent

noun
Definition of opponentnext
Synonyms for opponentnext
  • He knocked out his opponent in the third round.
  • The team's opponents have not lost a game this season.
  • She is a formidable opponent in the race for senator.
  • The Saints have won nine in a row and have outscored their opponents 70-18. ...
    — John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2024
  • The Wings and Leafs have shared a lot of the same opponents recently.
    — Andrew Birkle, Detroit Free Press, 14 Jan. 2024
  • The size of the opponent demanded a response of equal stature.
    — Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2023
  • With the results around the league Sunday, the opponents for the Chargers’ 2024 season are now set.
    — Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2024
  • UConn marched to the Final Four as a No. 4 seed and beat each of its opponents by double digits.
    — Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 22 June 2023
  • But at this point, the Celtics should be able to detect the scent of an opponent that has played way above its head for weeks and is now crashing back to earth.
    — Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 26 May 2023
  • The Eagles’ opponent has not been announced yet but the Dolphins are not scheduled to play the Eagles in the 2024 season.
    — Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2024
  • Gilroy’s Tamara Grace had the most dominant day, pinning all of her opponents on the way to the 130-pound title.
    — Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2024
  • On Friday, each fighter will try to knock out her opponent well before the full distance, so the fight may not go the full 12 rounds, Smith said.
    — Remy Tumin, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2023
  • But those opponents have plenty to worry about with the Wildcats.
    — The Indianapolis Star, 14 Jan. 2024
  • The problem with encampment sweeps, opponents say, is that the homeless don’t have anywhere else to go.
    — Jenavieve Hatch, Sacramento Bee, 6 Feb. 2024
  • Having him and Myles Turner in the same frontcourt could lead to a lot of sleepless nights for Indiana's opponents.
    — Indystar Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 23 June 2023
  • His opponent this time comes from a dynasty of powerful Democrats.
    — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2023
  • At the time, opponents said the legislation could deprive public school students of spots on their schools' teams.
    — The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024
  • His fight for survival came against the fiercest opponent, his own demons provoking a Kramer vs. Kramer showdown that seemed unwinnable.
    — Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2023
  • Though both boxers have perfect records, and neither has lost many rounds, opponents have had their moments.
    — Morgan Campbell, New York Times, 28 July 2023
  • In 2020, Massey was elected Round Top’s mayor, winning fifty-four votes to his opponent’s thirty-six.
    — Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 9 Nov. 2023
  • Yet all who do so will be condemned for insulting their opponents.
    — David Papineau, WSJ, 14 Dec. 2023
  • One key to winning elections is to pick your opponents very, very carefully.
    — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 5 Apr. 2024
  • Casey has been in the Senate since 2007 and is one of a handful of Democrats in the Senate that the party is hoping will beat their opponents in order to keep control of the upper chamber.
    — Misty Severi, Washington Examiner, 2 Jan. 2024
  • The team's flat start proved dire – despite a spirited comeback attempt – against a stout opponent.
    — Evan Merrill, The Enquirer, 19 Aug. 2023
  • The more Inter Miami continue to win, the hungrier their opponents will be to take them down.
    — Sam Sklar, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2023
  • Throughout the week, players talked about how much coaches have stressed not downplaying the opponents this season.
    — Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 1 Jan. 2024
  • Owens, 39, faced opponents for the four-year seat and campaigned at a time when she is being sued by residents and is charged with a felony over pandemic relief aid.
    — Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 9 Aug. 2023
  • But his opponents say the plan will destroy the country’s fragile system of checks and balances and concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies.
    — Tia Goldenberg, BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2023
  • The Aggies have a loss to Bradley and no victories over power conference opponents.
    — Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Dec. 2023
  • But as eager as Colleyville Heritage is to ride its hot streak to state for the first time in over two decades, its regional final opponent Justin Northwest is too.
    — Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas News, 24 May 2023

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opponent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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