rivalry, opposition, struggle, strife, challengers, championship, tournament, head-to-head
single combat, contest, fight, competition, clash, encounter, rivalry
rivalry, opposition, struggle, strife, challengers, championship, tournament, head-to-head
Some synonyms for the noun basketball are game, sport, activity, competition, ball.
clash, contest, conflict, event, encounter, competition, fight, match, game, struggle, race, sport
competitor challenger opponent rival contender participator
Other words with a similar meaning (synonyms) to tournament are contest, competition, event, tourney, game, play-offs, match
The term vanquished means to conquer. Other synonyms include subdue, defeat thoroughly, to come out the winner in a competition such as a sport or a game.
They are synonyms.
A means that is the same as "opponent" is "adversary." Both terms refer to someone who is in opposition to another, especially in a competition or conflict. Other synonyms include "rival" and "challenger."
Synonyms
No. It would have to be a slang hyphenate as "the party had a sports-y theme", meaning it used athletic competition as a motif. (It is not a neologism.)
Relative and kin are synonyms.