opponent

opponent, antagonist, adversary all denote one who expresses or manifests opposition. Unlike enemy they do not necessarily imply personal animosity or hostility.

An opponent is one who is on the opposite side in a contest (as an argument, disputation, or election) or in a conflict (as of opinion)

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since [in France] opposition is never considered to be legitimate, the Government has no opponents—only enemies— Revel

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opponents of the desegregation decision have . . . largely founded their dissent on the principle that law cannot move faster than public opinion— Roche & Gordon

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Antagonist implies sharper opposition, especially in a struggle or combat for supremacy or control

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where you find your antagonist beginning to grow warm, put an end to the dispute by some genteel badinage— Chesterfield

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a swift voracious fish, a formidable antagonist for the angler— J. L. B. Smith

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Adversary ranges in connotation from the idea of mere opposition to that of active hostility

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do as adversaries do in law, strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends— Shak.

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your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour—/ Pet 5:8

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Analogous words: *enemy, foe: rival, competitor, emulator (see corresponding verbs at RIVAL)