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. )

Example Sentences

Voting tables show that while most Plaid Cymru and Labour MSs backed the vote, some ministers and senior figures in Plaid opposed the decision.

From BBC

"I think this is a good alternative in some ways, in that I get to keep more of the money I make as opposed to just never seeing it again," she said.

From BBC

My top staff didn’t disagree with my reading, but almost to a person they were opposed to my taking on the issue.

From Los Angeles Times

Among those who have opposed the name change is parliament's minority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who called it a betrayal of the Volta Region, Kotoka's home.

From BBC

The government described them as "flexible" plans that set out what the child needs day to day - as opposed to an EHCP, which is the framework giving them legal entitlement to support.

From BBC

Related Words

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