oppose
[uh-pohz]
- 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.
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- to be or act in opposition.
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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
See more synonyms for oppose on Thesaurus.com1. 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.
Antonyms
1. support, help.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for opposed
Contemporary Examples
Thirty-six percent were in favor and 38 percent were opposed.
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 NRA opposed a new California law that will help prevent gun deaths, homicides and suicides both.
Try 21 times more likely—31 per million as opposed to 1.5 per million for whites.
This is a story that celebrates difference, as opposed to the story of a dysfunctional kid.
Historical Examples
To some features of the Bill he was opposed, but was in favor of its principle.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
The flying machine must move faster than the air to which it is opposed.
Flying MachinesW.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell
Crystals of iodine as opposed to permanganate of potash for antiseptic he discussed.
The Leopard WomanStewart Edward White
"Nobody ever opposed Eudora Yates except her own self," replied Abby.
The Yates PrideMary E. Wilkins Freeman
The testimony of two credible witnesses as opposed to that of only one.
The Devil's DictionaryAmbrose Bierce
oppose
- (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
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for opposed
oppose
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper