opposing

American  

[uh-poh-zing] / əˈpoʊ zɪŋ /

adjective

1. fighting or acting against something or someone.

   The Taoist concept of health is harmony between the opposing forces of the natural world—between yin and yang.

   Humane treatment of prisoners ensured that many combatants in the opposing army preferred captivity over death in battle.

2. of or being a player, team, participant, etc., competing against another in a game or contest.

   If a game is rained out, reschedule a makeup date with the opposing captain.

   The single most important reason citizens voted that year was to ensure that the opposing candidate lost.

3. being, expressing, or supporting a hostile or conflicting opinion, proposal, etc..

   The reporters responsible for those stories failed to balance their coverage with an opposing view.

   One faction wants to return us to the 1950s, while the opposing faction wants to adapt to the 21st century.

4. standing in the way of someone or something; being or providing a hindrance.

   Sometimes, despite all opposing circumstances, a painful step or two of progress will be achieved.

5. facing something else, or moving in the other direction.

   We waited as the opposing traffic cleared, and then it was our turn to go.

   The rails are to be mounted parallel to one another on opposing walls of the cargo area.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonopposing adjective
• opposingly adverb
• unopposing adjective

Etymology

Origin of opposing

First recorded in 1580–90, as a noun; oppos(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Iran's negotiating team, wrote that "the opposing side ultimately failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations".

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

The game sorts players into two teams of five who can battle online, competing to hide their own flag and snatch the opposing team's banner.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

While the top Democrat of the House Oversight committee agreed with this sentiment, many survivors had an opposing perspective.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

But many Russians are nevertheless holding out, opposing a Max mandate in schools and state institutions, and saying they don’t trust the app to safeguard their privacy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Whenever I found myself up against my mother’s faith-based obstinacy, I would try, as respectfully as possible, to counter with an opposing point of view.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

Related Words

• antagonistic
• conflicting