oppose

[ uh-pohz ]

/ əˈpoʊz /

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See synonyms for: oppose / opposed / opposing / opposer on Thesaurus.com

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

to act against or provide resistance to; combat: to vigorously oppose tyranny in every form.

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR oppose

1 confront, contravene.

2 prevent.

4 contradict.

See synonyms for oppose on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR oppose

1 support, help.

See antonyms for oppose on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of oppose

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French opposer, blend of Latin oppōnere “to set against” and Old French poser “to pose, place,” associated with the Latin past participle oppositus; see pose¹

synonym study for oppose

1. 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM oppose

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

How to use oppose in a sentence

At the council’s breakfast last week, he said he had told the mayor’s office that the council opposed the reviewing stand because he thought it couldn’t be safely done during the pandemic.
What will Inauguration Day look like amid a pandemic?|Emily Davies, Justin Jouvenal|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Some Republicans have opposed similar legislation in the past because they said states are better equipped to identify students’ and schools’ needs.
National Ban on School Use of Seclusion and Restraint of Students Introduced in Congress|by Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica and Jennifer Smith Richards, Chicago Tribune|November 19, 2020|ProPublica
To allegedly shake things up, I allowed her to watch YouTube videos on the subject as opposed to reading an article.
Distance learning was a disaster. So I decided to teach my daughter myself.|Tracey Lewis-Giggetts|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
McDonald’s believes elected leaders have a responsibility to set, debate and change mandated minimum wages and does not lobby against or participate in any activities opposing raising the minimum wage.
Walmart and McDonald’s have the most workers on food stamps and Medicaid, new study shows|Eli Rosenberg|November 18, 2020|Washington Post

In 2019, when he last faced opposing batters, Clay led all of minor league baseball in groundball rate.
Nationals sign lefty reliever Sam Clay to major league contract|Jesse Dougherty|November 18, 2020|Washington Post
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
Only two senators opposed the resolution, which the administration later claimed was the authority for a full-scale war.
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|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
Try 21 times more likely—31 per million as opposed to 1.5 per million for whites.
The NY Police Union’s Vile War with Mayor De Blasio|Michael Tomasky|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the contrary, the full meaning of the act is manifestly opposed to such an idea.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
My mother opposed her vow to his; not to suffer her child to leave her, till the time of her being professed.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
It was strenuously opposed by all possible means, governmental, legislative, and literary.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Massna wished at all hazards to continue the fight on the morrow, but his principal officers were strongly opposed to it.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
At any rate, whatsoever that curious reservation meant, the majority of the staff were opposed to surrender.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy

British Dictionary definitions for oppose

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 of oppose

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

oppose

OTHER WORDS FOR oppose

OPPOSITES FOR oppose

Origin of oppose

synonym study for oppose

OTHER WORDS FROM oppose

Words related to oppose

How to use oppose in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for oppose

Derived forms of oppose

Word Origin for oppose