op‧po‧nent W3 / əpəʊnənt $ əpoʊ- / 名词 [可数名词]

1 someone who you try to defeat in a competition, game, fight, or argument :

Graf’s opponent in today’s final will be Sukova.

leading/main/chief opponent

During the primary elections, McCain was Bush’s leading opponent.

formidable/worthy opponent

In debate he was a formidable opponent.

He is admired even by his political opponents .

2 someone who disagrees with a plan, idea, or system and wants to try to stop or change it 反义词 proponent

opponent of

Rodgers was not an opponent of the new airport.

bitter/vocal/outspoken opponent

an outspoken opponent of gun control

COLLOCATIONS

形容词

somebody’s main/chief opponent Who was her main opponent for the presidential nomination?

a leading opponent (= one of the main opponents ) In July the authorities arrested two leading opponents of the government.

a strong/tough opponent (= one that is difficult to defeat ) Arizona is a strong opponent, but the Oregon team intend to beat them.

a formidable opponent (= a very strong opponent ) In debate, he was a formidable opponent.

a dangerous opponent (= one who might defeat you ) In tomorrow’s match, he will take on his most dangerous opponent.

a political opponent the President’s political opponents

a worthy opponent (= one who deserves respect ) The Democratic Senator has shown himself to be a worthy opponent.

动词

face an opponent The team were facing their final opponent of the season.

defeat an opponent She came within three points of defeating her opponent.

outfox/outwit/outmanoeuvre an opponent (= gain an advantage over an opponent by being more intelligent or skilful than they are ) Football is all about outwitting your opponents.

COLLOCATIONS

形容词

the main/chief opponent one of the new law’s main opponents

a leading opponent (= one of the main opponents, often influencing other people ) She was a leading opponent of gun control in the Senate.

a strong opponent (= one who feels strongly that a particular thing is wrong and tries to stop it ) Brennan was a strong opponent of the death penalty.

a fierce/bitter opponent (= a very strong opponent, who often expresses their opinions angrily ) She became well-known as a bitter opponent of slavery.

a vigorous opponent (= one who opposes something with a lot of energy and determination ) a vigorous opponent of the use of nuclear weapons

an outspoken/vocal opponent (= one who publicly expresses disagreement with something ) He was a vocal opponent of closer relations with the United States.

a vociferous opponent (= one who publicly expresses very strong disagreement ) Many residents were vociferous opponents of the plan.

THESAURUS

person

enemy someone who does not like you because you have had a big disagreement with them in the past or someone who opposes you in business or politics : If that’s how he treats his friends, I’d hate to be his enemy. | In business, it’s best not to make too many enemies.

adversary formal an enemy : When he retired, he was replaced by his old adversary. | He made the fatal mistake of underestimating his adversary.

foe literary an enemy : A guard called out ‘Who goes there – friend or foe?’ | his former foes

arch enemy someone’s main enemy : In the movie, Batman goes into battle with his arch enemy the Joker.

opponent someone you are competing against, for example in a sports game, competition, or election : You win the game if you are left with more cards than your opponent. | He is admired even by his political opponents.

nemesis written an enemy or opponent that is impossible to defeat – a rather formal use : In the final, he met his old nemesis, Rafael Nadal.