opposed

[uh-pohzd]

adjective

1. hostile or resistant (usually followed byto ).

   At a town hall meeting about the proposed desalination plant, most speakers were opposed, citing high costs and the effect on marine life.

   Some educators are opposed to bringing new media tools into classes, viewing them as a potential distraction for students.

2. having contrary effects; operating at cross-purposes.

   How do we interpret these seemingly opposed trends—away from organized religion and toward the formation of strong spiritual beliefs?

3. set against or contrasted with something else or with each other; viewed as contrary or competing.

   The opposed images on the book’s title page represent the two very different understandings of “home” featured in the narrative.

4. situated, existing, or growing in opposite directions.

   There are two diametrically opposed arrows on the signpost, and we have no idea which one to follow.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of oppose.

Other Word Forms

• preopposed adjective
• quasi-opposed adjective
• unopposed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of opposed¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; oppose ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. as opposed to, in contrast to; rather than.

   The new boss is intuitive as opposed to analytical, and conflict-shy as opposed to aggressive.

Example Sentences

Hirsch had previously opposed debating the bill citing concern for living captives held in Gaza.

Read more on Barron's

Since the ceasefire, the United States has increased pressure on Lebanese authorities to disarm the group, a plan opposed by Hezbollah and its allies.

Read more on Barron's

More than half were Jewish and they were all either on the fence or opposed to Mamdani's candidacy.

Read more on BBC

They seem to believe that “large corporations” pay a head tax, as opposed to their workers through fewer jobs or lower pay.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Bannon, otherwise opposed to foreign adventures, muses about “regime change in Jerusalem.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• anti 
• antithetical 
• averse 
• disputed 
• hostile 
• inimical 
• opposing