potential opponent
collocation in Englishmeaningsofpotentialandopponent
These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withopponent.
potential
adjective[before noun]
uk/pəˈten.ʃəl/us/poʊˈten.ʃəl/
possible when the necessary ...
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opponent
noun[C]
uk/əˈpəʊ.nənt/us/əˈpoʊ.nənt/
a person who disagrees with something and speaks against it or tries to ...
See more atopponent
(Definition ofpotentialandopponentfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)
Examplesofpotential opponent
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
The term "enemy" is used legitimately in military and other circles to denote apotentialopponentwhose military capabilites are judged to pose a threat.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
That would enable the unassistedpotentialopponentto make representations to the board at the stage when the granting of legal aid is being considered.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It is obvious that, if an international police force is to be effective, it must be stronger than the strongest possiblepotentialopponent.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
What is more this is how it is regarded both by our allies and by apotentialopponent.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I think it is sometimes wise to have regard to the mote in one's own eye before completely eradicating yourpotentialopponent.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
On the other hand, it makes sense to be able to wave an even larger stick at apotentialopponent, if that proves to be necessary.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Survey predicts the victory of the actual president since hispotentialopponentdecided to boycott the election.
From
Wikipedia
The second, greater uncertainty for a senator seeking election and reelection came from potential opponents for the seat within their own party.
From theCambridge English Corpus
But he wanted an offensive capability of such size and composition that all will perceive it as in overall balance with the strategic forces of anypotentialopponent.
From
Wikipedia
Secondly, the success of the reform involved some neutralisation of potential opponents due to a mixture of tactical and situational factors.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Likewise, misperceptions lead potential opponents to make independent decisions to challenge the regime even when these would not be predicted.
From theCambridge English Corpus
The authoritarian character of the regime played a major role in suppressing potential opponents of reform and disarticulating any organisation that openly challenged its policies.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Potential opponents of the regime can be turned into mere opponents of the government of the day-not of the monarch-when the regime allows greater political liberalization.
From theCambridge English Corpus
It is vital that our armed forces have equipment that gives them a technological edge over any potential opponents.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
However, we must recognise that our security should be founded not against but with our potential opponents.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Surely no potential opponents will ever know how many warheads each submarine is equipped with.
From the
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Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
No one is seriously suggesting that he will go bonkers, whatever he may think of his opponents or potential opponents.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
This is a man and a regime who eliminate internal opposition by a process called grass cutting, by which any potential opponents are mowed down.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
That trust is important not just for allies but for potential opponents.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I wish that they would concentrate their minds not on what our friends are doing but on what our potential opponents are doing.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
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See other collocations withopponent