強 敵(きょうてき)

きょうてき

noun

formidable enemy; tough opponent

1. formidable enemy; tough opponent; strong rival

A powerful adversary or competitor who is difficult to defeat. Used in contexts ranging from warfare and sports to business and everyday challenges.

強敵(きょうてき)に立(た)ち向(む)かう。

To face a formidable opponent.

決勝(けっしょう)の相手(あいて)は強敵(きょうてき)だった。

The opponent in the finals was a tough one.

新(あたら)しい商品(しょうひん)は市場(しじょう)で多(おお)くの強敵(きょうてき)と競(きそ)うことになる。

The new product will compete with many formidable rivals in the market.

Composed of 強(きょう) (strong) + 敵(てき) (enemy, opponent). A versatile word used across many domains — sports, games, business, and literal conflict.

Common collocations

強敵(きょうてき)に立(た)ち向(む)かう: to face a formidable foe
強敵(きょうてき)を倒(たお)す: to defeat a strong enemy
強敵(きょうてき)が現(あらわ)れる: a powerful rival appears
手強(てごわ)い強敵(きょうてき): a tough, formidable opponent

Similar words

敵(てき): enemy, opponent (neutral; not necessarily strong)
ライバル: rival (often implies mutual respect and ongoing competition)
好敵手(こうてきしゅ): worthy rival (emphasizes being well-matched)

Related Words

Compare: ライバル (rival)

Compare: 好敵手(こうてきしゅ) (worthy rival)

Compare: 大敵(たいてき) (great enemy)

Compare: 強豪(きょうごう) (powerhouse)

general

Added 2026.3.27 16:17 · Revised 2026.10.5 23:20

19500/19957_kyouteki