oponente
nounCEFR B2
What does “oponente” mean in English?
opponent — a person or group competing against or arguing against another
opponent — a person or group competing against or arguing against another (oponente político; hacer frente al oponente)
Example sentences
El oponente presentó argumentos convincentes que obligaron al equipo a replantear su estrategia.
The opponent presented convincing arguments that forced the team to reconsider its strategy.
En el debate televisado, la candidata logró desmontar punto por punto los argumentos de su oponente.
In the televised debate, the candidate managed to refute her opponent's arguments one by one.
El tenista venció a su oponente en tres sets con una exhibición de tenis espectacular.
The tennis player beat his opponent in three sets with a spectacular display of tennis.
How to use it
El/la oponente (noun, common gender) means 'opponent' or 'rival' — a person or group that competes against or argues against another. Key collocations: hacer frente al oponente; oponente político/ideológico; superar al oponente; debate con el oponente. Distinguish from adversario/a (adversary — more antagonistic), rival (rival — competition-focused), and contrario (opposite — more abstract). Oponente is standard in academic debates, legal proceedings, and political discourse.
Common mistake
Oponente (in context-neutral competition/debate) ≠ enemigo (enemy — hostile/military). Common gender: el oponente / la oponente. Adversario implies more hostility. Contrincante is a very common synonym in sport and political debate. Do not say *el opuesto to mean 'the opponent' — el opuesto means 'the opposite' (abstract).