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.

---

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

Taking the Rasta name Jabari Muata Ta Seti, he returned to Bradford and worked as a voluntary counsellor, also setting up the anti-drugs charity Black Against Crack in the city in the mid-1990s.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Jane Williams, executive director of California Communities Against Toxics, warned that MMA is just one of the chemicals being stored on the site.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

Against this backdrop rose one of the most influential figures of the modern AI field, Google DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis.

From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026

Against West Ham this month, Arsenal was leading 1-0 when it appeared to concede a stoppage-time equalizer.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Against my will, I recall the way he held that sword in the study with Balekin and the sloppiness of his technique.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black