What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
opponent
Example
My opponent in the chess tournament was very skilled. [opponent: noun]
Example
The politician's opponents criticized her stance on healthcare. [opponents: plural noun]
rival
Example
The two companies were rivals in the smartphone market. [rivals: plural noun]
Example
The athletes had a long-standing rivalry that fueled their competitive spirit. [rivalry: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Opponent is more commonly used than rival in everyday language, especially in political and sports contexts. Rival is less common but is often used in business and personal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between opponent and rival?
Both opponent and rival are neutral terms that can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, opponent is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
