opposing
Americanadjective
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Etymology
Origin of opposing
First recorded in 1580–90, as a noun; oppos(e) ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. )
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.
Opposing batters knew that almost everything Soriano threw would be down in the zone, whether it was a sinker, splitter or curveball.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026
Opposing him was the patient, emotionless approach of Associated Newspapers' barrister, Antony White, who offered an alternative explanation for the source of stories, making the case for how they were legitimately obtained.
From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026
Opposing the Saja Boys is the movie’s equivalent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but in triplicate.
From Salon • Jun. 29, 2025
Opposing coaches who had never seen her play always came away impressed.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2025
Opposing them were the Half-Breeds, who considered Grant a losing candidate because many voters had become disgusted by the scandals and corruption during his time in office.
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
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.
