against

American  

[uh-genst, uh-geynst] / 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.

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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

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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

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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

On Aug. 13, Judge Richard Stearns dismissed the government’s separate Title VI suit against Harvard, and Ms. Van Erem drapes herself in that decision.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026

But a late rescue act courtesy of a towering header from Guehi - who all the attention was on - and Josko Gvardiol's cool finish salvaged an unlikely comeback victory against Bournemouth.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026

Independence High School was set to kick off its football season against Kern County rival Centennial High, but game night turned to tragedy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

Yet its campaign against the Bauhaus, arguably the state’s only global tourist draw, has left even its biggest supporters perplexed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026

You pop it into your mouth, the strawberry perfectly ripe, the bread melting against your tongue.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith