opponent
One you face
An opponent is someone who opposes you—in competition, conflict, or argument.
In sports and games, your opponent is whoever you're trying to beat: She studied her opponent's playing style.
In debate or politics, opponents hold contrary positions: opponents of the legislation.
The word implies active opposition without necessarily suggesting hostility.
Hostile opponent
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- rivalOne who competes against
- enemyHostile opposing party
hostile · combatant · archenemy · villain · aggressor · belligerent · assailant · invader
One who competes against
- contenderOne competing seriously
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- contestantCompetition participant
- playerGame participant
finalist · semifinalist · runner-up · qualifier · athlete · sportsman · underdog · frontrunner
One who argues
- criticOne who judges merit
- dissenterOpponent of orthodoxy
- objectorOne who formally disagrees
- protesterOne who publicly opposes
arguer · debater · interlocutor · cross-examiner · rebuttal · counterargument · devil's advocate · contrarian
Game participant
- chess masterExpert at strategic board game
- grandmasterSupreme competitive title
- blufferOne who deceives boldly
- dealerOne who sells goods
wild card · checkmate · gambit · stalemate · rematch · handicap · ranking · seeding
Current position holder
- candidatePerson seeking selection
- running mateVice presidential nominee
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
- underdogPresumed loser beforehand
delegate · caucus · primary · campaign · ballot · electorate · constituency · bipartisan
foe
Hostile opponent
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- rivalOne who competes against
enemy · hostile · combatant · archenemy · villain · aggressor · belligerent · assailant · invader · threat
rival
One who competes against
- contenderOne competing seriously
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- contestantCompetition participant
player · finalist · semifinalist · runner-up · qualifier · athlete · sportsman · underdog · frontrunner · titleholder
disputant
One who argues
protester · arguer · debater · interlocutor · cross-examiner · rebuttal · counterargument · devil's advocate · contrarian · naysayer
player
Game participant
- chess masterExpert at strategic board game
- grandmasterSupreme competitive title
- blufferOne who deceives boldly
dealer · wild card · checkmate · gambit · stalemate · rematch · handicap · ranking · seeding · matchup
incumbent
Current position holder
- candidatePerson seeking selection
- running mateVice presidential nominee
- frontrunnerLeading candidate or competitor
underdog · delegate · caucus · primary · campaign · ballot · electorate · constituency · bipartisan · filibuster
- competitioncompete, competitor, contender, winner, sports
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- challengersunderdog, rival, contender, competitor, adversary
- debatesmoderator, podium, lectern, rebuttal, rebuttals
- enemiesenemy, foe, foes, adversary, nemesis
- game participantsplayer, gamer, competitor, contestant, teammate
- reading opponentsAnalyzing competitors' likely actions
- debate opponentOne who argues opposite