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. )

Explanation

When things are opposed, they're against each other. Two teams playing against each other are opposed; so are two sides in a war. If you're opposed, you're usually up against an opponent or opposing side. Politicians often talk about being opposed to one law and in favor of another. If someone is against higher taxes, they're opposed to higher taxes. Someone on the other side is opposed to lower taxes. But you could also simply be opposed to something like breakfast before 10 am.

Example Sentences

Opposed by government lawyers at every legal turn, Melendez said another arduous appeal would not save sacred sites from being desecrated.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2023

Opposed by businesses in recent years, a bereavement law became more urgent with more than 97,700 California deaths linked to the virus that causes COVID-19.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2023

Opposed by some gifting shop organizations and advocates, the proposal is the latest development in Mendelson’s so-far unsuccessful effort to drive business to the city’s licensed medical shops by cracking down on gifting shops.

From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2022

Opposed to the reform of the Episcopal ritual, the ordination of women and open acceptance of homosexuality, he quit the Episcopal Church and joined the American Orthodox Church, an offshoot of the Russian Orthodox Church.

From New York Times • Sep. 19, 2016

Josephine Anderson Pearson, head of the Tennessee State Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage, worked against ratification of the amendment.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

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