oppose
Americanverb (used with object)
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opposes,
present (3rd person singular)
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opposed,
past participle, past
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opposing
present participle
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to act against or provide resistance to; combat.
to vigorously oppose tyranny in every form.
- Synonyms:
- contravene, confront
- Antonyms:
- succumb, capitulate
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to stand in the way of; hinder; obstruct.
- Synonyms:
- prevent
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to set as an opponent or adversary.
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to be hostile or adverse to, as in opinion.
to oppose a resolution in a debate.
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to set as an obstacle or hindrance.
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to set against in some relation, especially as to demonstrate a comparison or contrast.
to oppose advantages to disadvantages.
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to use or take as being opposite or contrary.
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to set (something) over against something else in place, or to set (two things) so as to face or be opposite to one another.
verb (used without object)
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opposes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
opposed,
past participle, past
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opposing
present participle
verb
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(tr) to fight against, counter, or resist strongly
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(tr) to be hostile or antagonistic to; be against
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(tr) to place or set in opposition; contrast or counterbalance
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(tr) to place opposite or facing
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(intr) to be or act in opposition
Synonym Usage
Oppose, resist, withstand imply setting up a force against something. The difference between oppose and resist is somewhat similar to the one between offensive and defensive action. To oppose is mainly to fight against, in order to thwart, certain tendencies or procedures of which one does not approve: The lobbyists opposed the passage of the bill. Resist suggests that the subject is already threatened by the forces, or by the imminent possibility, against which they struggle: Our religion requires us to resist temptation. Whereas oppose always suggests an attitude of great disapproval, resist may imply an inner struggle in which the will is divided: She tried unsuccessfully to resist her craving for ice cream. Withstand generally implies successful resistance; it may refer to endurance that allows one to emerge unharmed ( to withstand a shock ), as well as to active resistance: The fort should be able to withstand an aerial attack.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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opposernoun
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preopposeverb (used with object)
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reopposeverb (used with object)
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opposingadjective
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oppositiveadjective
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opposinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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opposesimple
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opposessimple
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have opposedperfect
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has opposedperfect
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am opposingprogressive
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are opposingprogressive
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is opposingprogressive
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have been opposingperfect progressive
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has been opposingperfect progressive
Past
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opposedsimple
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had opposedperfect
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was opposingprogressive
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were opposingprogressive
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had been opposingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of oppose
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French opposer, blend of Latin oppōnere “to set against” and Old French poser “to pose, place,” associated with the Latin past participle oppositus; see pose 1
Explanation
To oppose something is to go against it or fight hard to stop it. A senator might oppose a bill, or a teen might oppose authority. Words starting with opp-, like opposite, opponent, and oppose, usually hint that there's a disagreement somewhere. You might oppose a decision if you don't agree with it or if it's the opposite of what you believe or know is right. Sometimes, though, to oppose just means to be on the other team.
Vocabulary lists containing oppose
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade 11)
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Common Core Grades 7–8, List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Just over half of California’s likely voters oppose the ballot measure, while 42% support it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
If a unity candidate is found to oppose him, then the election would become a direct battle.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
And she noted that she has two children in their twenties who are struggling with housing costs and who oppose the project.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
According to a June poll by the Texas Politics Project, 71% of registered Texas Democrats and 44% of registered Texas Republicans oppose data centers, with only 14% of Republicans strongly in support.
From Salon ● Aug. 3, 2026
“Henry sides with my friends who oppose me in all that is dearest in my heart,” she wrote.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
In a BBC interview before he was asked to take the post, he made clear he opposes the limitation of MPs' terms as an intrusion on the right of voters to freely choose their representatives.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
Athletes.org, a nonprofit organization that advocates for college athletes’ rights, opposes the bill and continues to push for athletes to be allowed to unionize.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026
But the Western States Petroleum Assn. trade group opposes that, saying it would penalize California refiners that have already invested in making the cleaner fuel.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
She opposes an increase in the retirement age, an area of policy agreement with her opponents on the left.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026
He is sympathetic to the slaveholding South and opposes any limit on slavery.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
“And those three things, in my reading of the Gospel, are diametrically opposed to the teachings of Jesus.”
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026
On Proposition 42, 40% of voters backed the measure, and 37% opposed it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Fermi ousted Neugebauer as CEO in April, leading to legal fights and a call by the executive, who is also a major shareholder, for changes that included possibly selling Fermi, an idea the company opposed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
"It's the opposite of a cheap easy political fix," said Maya Foa, CEO of Reprieve US, an international legal organisation opposed to the death penalty.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
Still, the antis claimed that all of those who failed to vote opposed female suffrage.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
Fans of the opposing Golden State Valkyries cheered Carrington’s return to Chase Center after the outrage over her Aug. 8 flagrant foul against Cunningham.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
The poll found that 35% of likely voters supported Proposition 41, with 37% opposing it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Clark’s supporters, however, argue that she’s been unfairly targeted by opposing players who are jealous of all the attention that is lavished upon her.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
Because protests are no longer permitted, the Yabloko hearing offered a rare chance for likeminded Russians opposing the war to gather publicly.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
At the hearing, the judge looks at your case, hears arguments from the opposing sides, and then he either dismisses the charges or sets bail and a trial date.
From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
