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oppose

[uh-pohz]
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verb (used with object), op·posed, op·pos·ing.
  1. to act against or provide resistance to; combat.
  2. to stand in the way of; hinder; obstruct.
  3. to set as an opponent or adversary.
  4. to be hostile or adverse to, as in opinion: to oppose a resolution in a debate.
  5. to set as an obstacle or hindrance.
  6. to set against in some relation, especially as to demonstrate a comparison or contrast: to oppose advantages to disadvantages.
  7. to use or take as being opposite or contrary.
  8. 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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verb (used without object), op·posed, op·pos·ing.
  1. 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
Related formsop·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

Synonyms for oppose

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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.

Antonyms for oppose

1. support, help.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for opposed

inimical, hostile, opposing, averse, antithetical, disputed, anti, conflicting, repelling, clashing, crossing, counter, rival, facing, warring, battling, combating, denying, exposing

Examples from the Web for opposed

Contemporary Examples of opposed

Historical Examples of opposed

  • To some features of the Bill he was opposed, but was in favor of its principle.

    The Grand Old Man

    Richard B. Cook

  • The flying machine must move faster than the air to which it is opposed.

    Flying Machines

    W.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell

  • Crystals of iodine as opposed to permanganate of potash for antiseptic he discussed.

    The Leopard Woman

    Stewart Edward White

  • "Nobody ever opposed Eudora Yates except her own self," replied Abby.

    The Yates Pride

    Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

  • The testimony of two credible witnesses as opposed to that of only one.

British Dictionary definitions for opposed

oppose

verb
  1. (tr) to fight against, counter, or resist strongly
  2. (tr) to be hostile or antagonistic to; be against
  3. (tr) to place or set in opposition; contrast or counterbalance
  4. (tr) to place opposite or facing
  5. (intr) to be or act in opposition
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Derived Formsopposer, 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

Word Origin and History for opposed

oppose

v.

late 14c., from Old French oposer "oppose, resist, rival; contradict, state opposing point of view" (12c.), from poser "to place, lay down" (see pose (v.1)), blended with Latin opponere "oppose, object to, set against" (see opponent). Related: Opposed; opposing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper