Synonyms

oppose

American

[uh-pohz] / əˈpoʊz /

verb (used with object)

to act against or provide resistance to; combat.

to vigorously oppose tyranny in every form.

Synonyms:

contravene, confront

Antonyms:

succumb, capitulate
to stand in the way of; hinder; obstruct.

Synonyms:

prevent
to set as an opponent or adversary.
to be hostile or adverse to, as in opinion.

to oppose a resolution in a debate.
to set as an obstacle or hindrance.
to set against in some relation, especially as to demonstrate a comparison or contrast.

to oppose advantages to disadvantages.
to use or take as being opposite or contrary.
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)

to be or act in opposition.

oppose British

/ əˈpəʊz /

verb

(tr) to fight against, counter, or resist strongly
(tr) to be hostile or antagonistic to; be against
(tr) to place or set in opposition; contrast or counterbalance
(tr) to place opposite or facing
(intr) to be or act in opposition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

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.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing oppose

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade 11)

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Common Core Grades 7–8, List 1

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

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:

oppose opposes opposed opposing

Recent polls, external have found that the majority of Ohio voters oppose data centres.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

On Thursday, the holding company of construction magnate Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, which holds 13.5 percent, said it would oppose a rival plan that has been put forward by MPS management.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

Actors and writers recently gathered at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles to oppose the deal, accusing regulators of failing to protect industry livelihoods.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

Environmentalists and tourism operators oppose the project, warning it threatens Lamu’s fragile ecosystem and heritage status.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

“Good giants have bad stories. Damasen was created to oppose Ares.”

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

The Massachusetts Municipal Association, a nonprofit organization, opposes the measure.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

DeCrane said his group opposes the way it has been "marketed" to firefighters, including in Spokane where morning briefings fire chiefs to their crews included suggestions that they visit a volunteer tent for treatment.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

Koja has said he won’t stand in the way of the relocation, which Tamaki has said he still opposes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

Postal Service, and, the mail was returned as undeliverable, which Cohen’s office opposes including in the measure.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

Anyone who opposes a military invasion, they argue, must be ignorant of the atrocities taking place.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released Thursday found that eight in 10 Americans opposed the livestreaming of the execution.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

Kay announced the vote as 310 in favor and 9 opposed, with 12 abstensions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

Proximity to family also gives parents of young kids a sense of financial well-being: 85% of those parents expressed confidence in their finances, as opposed to 71% of those without a local support network.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026

President Trump has said he is opposed to Chinese car imports, but has welcomed the idea of China’s carmakers building cars in the country.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

To me, however, the inner circle of PIH seemed like a club, or even a family, which was deeply opposed to the concept of insiders and outsiders.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Beyaz compares PPARD's opposing roles to "the force" in Star Wars.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

The judge made the decision after an emergency hearing in which she sharply criticized the government for failing to notify the court and the opposing side of its plans until late Friday.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

Despite this, the opposing forces have managed to seize large portions of the country, particularly in the north and west.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

UAW Vice President Mike Booth, who ran on a ticket opposing Fain, told The Wall Street Journal that there is no doubt about the outcome.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Stanton realized that opposing the Fourteenth Amendment would be a difficult fight; many of her closest friends and former allies disagreed with her position.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023