opposing

[uh-poh-zing]

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.

Other Word Forms

• opposingly adverb
• nonopposing adjective
• unopposing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of opposing¹

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

Example Sentences

But he was so friendly and approachable that even opposing fans had fun engaging in banter and discussions.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Wealden District Council, the local authority, passed a motion formally opposing the government proposal on Wednesday and said it had served a planning contravention notice against the Home Office.

Read more on BBC

He honed a pinpoint midrange jump shot and studied opposing offenses to know exactly where to grab steals.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It’s OK to throw some blitz packages at the opposing QBs every now and then.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

One possible off-ramp, the source said, would be for the opposing countries to deliver statements after a decision is adopted, ensuring their positions are reflected in the official record.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• antagonistic 
• conflicting