opposing

American  

[uh-poh-zing] / əˈpoʊ zɪŋ /

adjective

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• nonopposing adjective
• opposingly adverb
• unopposing adjective

Etymology

Origin of opposing

First recorded in 1580–90, as a noun; oppos(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Tyler Higbee is off injured reserve after an ankle injury and contributing again for a Rams tight ends group that is poised to cause issues for opposing defenses.

From Los Angeles Times

The spokesperson added: "Cunningham has made a habit of talking London down, repeatedly portraying our city as broken while opposing the multiculturalism that makes it the best city in the world."

From BBC

Philip Jefferson offered a case study in the central bank’s predicament Monday, acknowledging the risk of stubborn inflation and weaker employment conditions—dueling threats that call for opposing prescriptions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nancy has one way of playing and can't react to opposing teams adapting to it.

From BBC

The lovers are on opposing sides of the English Civil War.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• antagonistic
• conflicting