oppose
Americanverb (used with object)
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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)
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
Related Words
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
- opposer noun
- opposing adjective
- opposingly adverb
- oppositive adjective
- preoppose verb (used with object)
- reoppose verb (used with object)
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; pose 1
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.
Groups that oppose the plant want to make sure that doesn’t happen.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
Traditional finance firms and Sifma oppose a broad exemption, citing investor protection concerns and potential profit erosion.
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
Teachers have voted to oppose the introduction of a new compulsory reading test for Year 8 pupils in England at the National Education Union's annual conference in Brighton.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
Bowman broke the seal on governor dissents in 2024, becoming the first to oppose a policy decision in 19 years when she voted for a smaller rate cut than her colleagues.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
“They were going to give me,” he was almost laughing, everywhere but in his eyes which continued to oppose all he said, “they were going to give me a discharge, a Section Eight discharge.”
From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
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.
