opposed

American  

[uh-pohzd] / əˈpoʊzd /

adjective

1. hostile or resistant (usually followed byto ).

   At a town hall meeting about the proposed desalination plant, most speakers were opposed, citing high costs and the effect on marine life.

   Some educators are opposed to bringing new media tools into classes, viewing them as a potential distraction for students.

2. having contrary effects; operating at cross-purposes.

   How do we interpret these seemingly opposed trends—away from organized religion and toward the formation of strong spiritual beliefs?

3. set against or contrasted with something else or with each other; viewed as contrary or competing.

   The opposed images on the book’s title page represent the two very different understandings of “home” featured in the narrative.

4. situated, existing, or growing in opposite directions.

   There are two diametrically opposed arrows on the signpost, and we have no idea which one to follow.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of oppose.

idioms

1. as opposed to, in contrast to; rather than.

   The new boss is intuitive as opposed to analytical, and conflict-shy as opposed to aggressive.

Other Word Forms

• preopposed
  adjective
• quasi-opposed
  adjective
• unopposed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of opposed

First recorded in 1450–1500; oppose ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

When things are opposed, they're against each other. Two teams playing against each other are opposed; so are two sides in a war. If you're opposed, you're usually up against an opponent or opposing side. Politicians often talk about being opposed to one law and in favor of another. If someone is against higher taxes, they're opposed to higher taxes. Someone on the other side is opposed to lower taxes. But you could also simply be opposed to something like breakfast before 10 am.

Example Sentences

Sean McAloon, huntsman with the Fermanagh Harriers, said he has been hunting from the age of two and is opposed to any ban.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Many veterans, Byrnes said, have also expressed serious concern about the war, even if they’re not fundamentally opposed to its purported aims.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

Park opposed the completion and instead wants to turn it into a “mobility hub” and move the housing project to an adjacent lot.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

“I’m predicting a better market this year as opposed to last year,” he says.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

What surprises many of us today is the fact that so many women were opposed to women gaining the ballot.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• anti
• antithetical
• averse
• disputed
• hostile
• inimical
• opposing