opposed

American  

[uh-pohzd] / əˈpoʊzd /

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.

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verb

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

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.

Other Word Forms

• preopposed adjective
• quasi-opposed adjective
• unopposed adjective

Etymology

Origin of opposed

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

Example Sentences

Carney, who grew up in Alberta but hasn’t publicly engaged on the secessionist movement, later gave ground, softening some regulations Smith opposed, which she welcomed.

From The Wall Street Journal

“That credit analysis suggests that, for now, the AI fears are largely sentiment-based as opposed to a real existential threat,” Bespoke said.

From MarketWatch

“It’s not just purely in your mind,” said O’Brien, who imagines the course through her eyes as opposed to a top-down view or something else that a video game might offer.

From Los Angeles Times

Others are opposed to the expansion on environmental grounds and on the disruption it would cause to people who currently live near the airport.

From BBC

"We will continue the fight to the end," farm trade unionist Costas Tzelas told a crowd of a few thousand at central Syntagma Square, including workers opposed to a new collective bargaining law.

From Barron's

Related Words

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