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

An impact fuse detonates when it hits the ground, sending shrapnel into opposing forces territory.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The union representing Starbucks workers on Monday filed a complaint with the International Olympic Committee, opposing the popular chain’s role as the “official coffee partner” of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And since then, opposing offenses have trampled them to the tune of 29.4 points a game.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Court resumed for a couple minutes, long enough for the opposing council to withdraw its appeal, and then the judge told Lozano, “Welcome to the United States.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The party sidelined Zhao for opposing martial law and later sent troops to crush the demonstrations—in what became known as the June 4 massacre—before purging him later that month.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• antagonistic 
• conflicting