- present participle of oppose.
opposing
Americanadjective
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fighting or acting against something or someone.
The Taoist concept of health is harmony between the opposing forces of the natural world—between yin and yang.
Humane treatment of prisoners ensured that many combatants in the opposing army preferred captivity over death in battle.
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of or being a player, team, participant, etc., competing against another in a game or contest.
If a game is rained out, reschedule a makeup date with the opposing captain.
The single most important reason citizens voted that year was to ensure that the opposing candidate lost.
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being, expressing, or supporting a hostile or conflicting opinion, proposal, etc..
The reporters responsible for those stories failed to balance their coverage with an opposing view.
One faction wants to return us to the 1950s, while the opposing faction wants to adapt to the 21st century.
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standing in the way of someone or something; being or providing a hindrance.
Sometimes, despite all opposing circumstances, a painful step or two of progress will be achieved.
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facing something else, or moving in the other direction.
We waited as the opposing traffic cleared, and then it was our turn to go.
The rails are to be mounted parallel to one another on opposing walls of the cargo area.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of opposing
First recorded in 1580–90, as a noun; oppos(e) ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the aftermath of the article, demonstrators from both sides of the issue gathered outside of Fever games, while Cunningham sometimes was booed in by opposing crowds.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
Italian and Egyptian prosecutors originally investigated the case together, but reached opposing conclusions.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
Beijing has helped too, said Lankov, noting China's preference to keep the status quo of the Kim dynasty by opposing potential instability from defectors or their supporters.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
“We are the people on the ground, so most of the impact will be on us,” said Wilson Kuria, a guide who started a petition opposing Uber Safari.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
A fire burned in the hearth behind him and cast large shadows on the opposing wall.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
