opponent
♦ op|po|nent /əp'oʊnənt/ (opponents)
1 [N-COUNT] usu with poss
A politician's opponents are other politicians who belong to a different party or who have different aims or policies.
...Mr Kennedy's opponent in the leadership contest...
He described the detention without trial of political opponents as a cowardly act.
= adversary
2 [N-COUNT] usu poss N
In a sporting contest, your opponent is the person who is playing against you.
Norris twice knocked down his opponent in the early rounds of the fight...
3 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
The opponents of an idea or policy do not agree with it and do not want it to be carried out.
...opponents of the spread of nuclear weapons...
≠ supporter
1 [N-COUNT] usu with poss
A politician's opponents are other politicians who belong to a different party or who have different aims or policies.
...Mr Kennedy's opponent in the leadership contest...
He described the detention without trial of political opponents as a cowardly act.
= adversary
2 [N-COUNT] usu poss N
In a sporting contest, your opponent is the person who is playing against you.
Norris twice knocked down his opponent in the early rounds of the fight...
3 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
The opponents of an idea or policy do not agree with it and do not want it to be carried out.
...opponents of the spread of nuclear weapons...
≠ supporter