oppose
Americanverb (used with object)
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opposes,
present (3rd person singular)
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opposed,
past participle, past
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opposing
present participle
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to act against or provide resistance to; combat.
to vigorously oppose tyranny in every form.
- Synonyms:
- contravene, confront
- Antonyms:
- succumb, capitulate
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to stand in the way of; hinder; obstruct.
- Synonyms:
- prevent
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to set as an opponent or adversary.
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to be hostile or adverse to, as in opinion.
to oppose a resolution in a debate.
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to set as an obstacle or hindrance.
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to set against in some relation, especially as to demonstrate a comparison or contrast.
to oppose advantages to disadvantages.
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to use or take as being opposite or contrary.
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to set (something) over against something else in place, or to set (two things) so as to face or be opposite to one another.
verb (used without object)
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opposes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
opposed,
past participle, past
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opposing
present participle
verb
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(tr) to fight against, counter, or resist strongly
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(tr) to be hostile or antagonistic to; be against
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(tr) to place or set in opposition; contrast or counterbalance
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(tr) to place opposite or facing
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(intr) to be or act in opposition
Synonym Usage
Oppose, resist, withstand imply setting up a force against something. The difference between oppose and resist is somewhat similar to the one between offensive and defensive action. To oppose is mainly to fight against, in order to thwart, certain tendencies or procedures of which one does not approve: The lobbyists opposed the passage of the bill. Resist suggests that the subject is already threatened by the forces, or by the imminent possibility, against which they struggle: Our religion requires us to resist temptation. Whereas oppose always suggests an attitude of great disapproval, resist may imply an inner struggle in which the will is divided: She tried unsuccessfully to resist her craving for ice cream. Withstand generally implies successful resistance; it may refer to endurance that allows one to emerge unharmed ( to withstand a shock ), as well as to active resistance: The fort should be able to withstand an aerial attack.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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opposernoun
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preopposeverb (used with object)
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reopposeverb (used with object)
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opposingadjective
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oppositiveadjective
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opposinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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opposesimple
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opposessimple
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have opposedperfect
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has opposedperfect
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am opposingprogressive
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are opposingprogressive
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is opposingprogressive
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have been opposingperfect progressive
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has been opposingperfect progressive
Past
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opposedsimple
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had opposedperfect
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was opposingprogressive
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were opposingprogressive
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had been opposingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of oppose
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French opposer, blend of Latin oppōnere “to set against” and Old French poser “to pose, place,” associated with the Latin past participle oppositus; see pose 1
Explanation
To oppose something is to go against it or fight hard to stop it. A senator might oppose a bill, or a teen might oppose authority. Words starting with opp-, like opposite, opponent, and oppose, usually hint that there's a disagreement somewhere. You might oppose a decision if you don't agree with it or if it's the opposite of what you believe or know is right. Sometimes, though, to oppose just means to be on the other team.
Vocabulary lists containing oppose
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade 11)
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Common Core Grades 7–8, List 1
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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.
See Examples For:
Just over half of California’s likely voters oppose the ballot measure, while 42% support it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
He said he doesn’t oppose business and cultural exchanges with the mainland, though he adds that he wouldn’t risk visiting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
But Prince Ali's statement is indicative of the strength of feeling among the member associations that oppose Infantino.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
National polls indicate even greater bipartisan alignment: a May Gallup survey found that 63% of Republicans and 75% of Democrats oppose data centers.
From Salon ● Aug. 3, 2026
“Yes, my lord. But to oppose Boreas, we really need to get our ship out of the harbor.”
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
“Their maximalism will contribute to their isolation in the long run,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, an Iran expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a policy organization that opposes Iran’s rulers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
Athletes.org, a nonprofit organization that advocates for college athletes’ rights, opposes the bill and continues to push for athletes to be allowed to unionize.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026
But the Western States Petroleum Assn. trade group opposes that, saying it would penalize California refiners that have already invested in making the cleaner fuel.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
China has hit out at the nationalisation of British Steel, saying it "firmly opposes and is strongly dissatisfied with the British government's decision".
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
He is sympathetic to the slaveholding South and opposes any limit on slavery.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
“I tried to invest in learning as a proactive thing as opposed to a reactive thing,” he says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
On Proposition 42, 40% of voters backed the measure, and 37% opposed it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
It gives Borthwick the final say over medical and conditioning matters, with the 25 players all receiving a fixed amount of money from the RFU, as opposed to a game-by-game match fee.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
Degas is said to have preferred watching ballerinas in the rehearsal studio as opposed to performing on stage, as he could then witness the “little events that occurred in the background.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
Even newspapers that opposed female suffrage condemned the way Judge Hunt handled the case.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
The Dodgers need Betts to be that right-handed hitter who will keep opposing pitchers honest in a lineup of lefty stars.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
The researchers found that older adults are more likely to activate opposing muscles around the ankle at the same time.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
Fans of the opposing Golden State Valkyries cheered Carrington’s return to Chase Center after the outrage over her Aug. 8 flagrant foul against Cunningham.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
Clark’s supporters, however, argue that she’s been unfairly targeted by opposing players who are jealous of all the attention that is lavished upon her.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
“We cannot risk opposing the mine. There will be consequences.”
From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool
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.
