oppose

[ uh-pohz ]

/ əˈpoʊz /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR oppose ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), op·posed, op·pos·ing.

to act against or provide resistance to; combat.

to stand in the way of; hinder; obstruct.

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), op·posed, op·pos·ing.

to be or act in opposition.

Nearby words

opportunity, opportunity cost, opportunity shop, opposable, opposable thumb, oppose, opposed-cylinder, opposed-piston engine, opposeless, opposer muscle of little finger, opposer muscle of thumb

Origin of oppose

1350–1400; Middle English < Old French opposer, blend of Latin oppōnere to set against and Old French poser to pose¹, associated with the L past participle oppositus

SYNONYMS FOR oppose

1 confront, contravene. Oppose, resist, withstand imply setting up a force against something. The difference between oppose and resist is somewhat that 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 he or she struggles: to resist temptation. Again, 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 the temptation to eat dessert. 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: to withstand an attack.

2 prevent.

4 contradict.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR oppose ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR oppose

1 support, help.

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Related forms

op·pos·er, nounop·pos·ing·ly, adverbnon·op·pos·ing, adjectivepre·op·pose, verb (used with object), pre·op·posed, pre·op·pos·ing.

pre·op·posed, adjectivequa·si-op·posed, adjectivere·op·pose, verb (used with object), re·op·posed, re·op·pos·ing.un·op·posed, adjectiveun·op·pos·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for opposed

Thirty-six percent were in favor and 38 percent were opposed.
How the PC Police Threaten Free Speech|Nick Gillespie|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The group puts out most of its statements—on its Twitter feed, or its numerous websites—in Arabic, as opposed to Baluchi or Farsi.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The NRA opposed a new California law that will help prevent gun deaths, homicides and suicides both.
The NRA’s Twisted List for Santa|John Feinblatt|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is a story that celebrates difference, as opposed to the story of a dysfunctional kid.
The Brit Who Stormed Broadway|Tim Teeman|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

These sexual, earthy, animal-human deities really were opposed to everything the early Christians venerated as holy.
Meet Krampus, the Seriously Bad Santa|Jay Michaelson|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The project was opposed by the one person with a pertinacity that Julian was sure could mean only one thing.
The Messenger|Elizabeth Robins
He sed he had kept a pretty close watch on the newspapers to see ef eny of them opposed the war or advocated slavery.
Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia|Seba Smith
Dorothy was opposed to the idea and she said so, but her opinion was overridden by the two men.
Hidden Gold|Wilder Anthony
Some things are opposed to others relatively, others privatively, and others by contradiction.
Commentary on Genesis, Vol. I|Martin Luther
The great, opposed forces lay on their arms, the one closely drawn by the river, the other on the southern hills.
The Long Roll|Mary Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for opposed

oppose

/ (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

Derived Forms

opposer, nounopposing, adjectiveopposingly, adverboppositive (əˈpɒzɪtɪv), adjective

Word Origin for oppose

C14: via Old French from Latin oppōnere, from ob- against + pōnere to place

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