against

American  

[uh-genst, uh-gaynst] / əˈgɛnst, əˈgeɪnst /

preposition

1. in opposition to; contrary to; adverse or hostile to: against reason.

   twenty votes against ten;

   against reason.

2. in resistance to or defense from.

   protection against burglars.

3. in an opposite direction to.

   to ride against the wind.

4. into contact or collision with; toward; upon.

   The rain beat against the window.

5. in contact with.

   to lean against the wall.

6. in preparation for; in provision for.

   money saved against a rainy day.

7. having as background.

   a design of flowers against a dark wall.

8. in exchange for; as a balance to or debit or charge on.

   He asked for an advance against his salary.

9. in competition with.

   a racehorse running against his own record time.

10. in comparison or contrast with.

    a matter of reason as against emotion.

11. beside; near; before.

    The car is against the building.

---

conjunction

1. Archaic. before; by the time that.

idioms

1. over against,

   1. positioned across from or opposite; facing.

      The debate teams were seated over against each other.

   2. in contrast with.

      rich people over against poor people.

against British  

/ əˈɡɛnst, əˈɡeɪnst /

preposition

1. opposed to; in conflict or disagreement with

   they fought against the legislation

2. standing or leaning beside or in front of

   a ladder against the wall

3. coming in contact with

   the branches of a tree brushed against the bus

4. in contrast to

   silhouettes are outlines against a light background

5. having an adverse or unfavourable effect on

   the economic system works against small independent companies

6. as a protection from or means of defence from the adverse effects of

   a safeguard against contaminated water

7. in exchange for or in return for

8. rare in preparation for

   he gave them warm clothing against their journey through the night

9. as opposed to or as compared with

   he had two shots at him this time as against only one last time

---

against More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing against

• beat one's head against the wall
• cards are stacked against
• come up against
• count against
• dead set against
• guard against
• have something against
• hold something against
• lift a hand against
• over against
• pit someone against
• run against
• set against
• swim against
• turn against
• two strikes against
• up against

---

Etymology

Origin of against

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English agens, ageynes, equivalent to ageyn again + -es -s ¹; for -t cf. whilst, amongst

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

against

Stanford Medicine researchers have developed a two-part molecule that turns a major driver of B-cell lymphoma against the cancer cells that depend on it.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

Prosecutors have issued 33 arrest warrants against customs officers and employees of the National Environment Agency over their alleged involvement in the scheme.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was spectacular during the Dodgers’ 2025 World Series run, and his performance against the Atlanta Braves was equally impressive.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

The yuan consolidated against the dollar in onshore and offshore markets on the first trading day in mainland China after a long holiday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Fat raindrops make divots in the lake’s surface, splash against the dock.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam