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.

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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

TCU struggles to pressure opposing passers, ranks 109th in the nation in yards allowed through the air and has yet to face a passing attack this season as prolific as USC’s.

From Los Angeles Times

As governors historically had, McCrory had appointed the five board members who oversaw the 2016 race, choosing three from his party and two from the opposing party as state law directed.

From Salon

Since we lived in different cities and were in different chapters of our lives, we could just enjoy the time we were allotted, without reconciling opposing ambitions.

From Los Angeles Times

“It is a direct attack on something that I think most Americans believe is important,” which is opposing discrimination, Adam Rust, director of financial services at the Consumer Federation of America, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch

The Sooners lead the country with 41 sacks, and 18 different players have brought opposing quarterbacks to the turf at least once.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• antagonistic
• conflicting