opposite number

noun

1. counterpart; equivalent:

   New members with an interest in folk art will find their opposite numbers in the association's directory.

opposite number

noun

1. a person holding an equivalent and corresponding position on another side or situation

Word History and Origins

Origin of opposite number¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

His opposite number, Kansas City right-hander Carlos Hernández, endured his own wait for the inning’s bottom half as the grounds crew worked to dry an infield that saw hardly any action with him in the game.

From Washington Post

As opposite number Hyun Jin Ryu was carrying a no-hit bid into the sixth inning against the Orioles, rookie left-hander Keegan Akin was keeping things close.

From Washington Post

Out of possession, Leeds players chase their opposite numbers up and down the pitch, attempting to deny adversaries the time to pick out a measured pass.

From FiveThirtyEight

Then he considers: what does my opposite number want that will matter more to him than it does to me?

From The Daily Beast

They moved across to the left: the first man sat down and his opposite number stood up.

From Project Gutenberg

I wouldn't mind being in charge—old Haas' opposite number at this end.

From Project Gutenberg

Instinctively his eye went about—and then came to a stop at a door directly opposite number eleven.

From Project Gutenberg

A weary trudge brings him to 457, opposite number 1, whence he started.

From Project Gutenberg

The passageway came out on the other side almost directly opposite number seven, and offered a tempting short-cut.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adversary
• challenger
• competition
• competitor
• contender
• opponent
• peer