opposition

[ op-uh-zish-uhn ]

/ ˌɒp əˈzɪʃ ən /

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See synonyms for: opposition / oppositional on Thesaurus.com

noun

the action of opposing, resisting, or combating.

antagonism or hostility.

a person or group of people opposing, criticizing, or protesting something, someone, or another group.

Sometimes Opposition . the major political party opposed to the party in power and seeking to replace it.

the act of placing opposite, or the state or position of being placed opposite.

the act of opposing, or the state of being opposed by way of comparison or contrast.

Logic.

the relation between two propositions that have the same subject and predicate, but which differ in quantity or quality, or in both.
the relation between two propositions in virtue of which the truth or falsity of one of them determines the truth or falsity of the other.

Astronomy. the situation of two heavenly bodies when their longitudes or right ascensions differ by 180°: The moon is in opposition to the sun when the earth is directly between them.

Astrology. the situation of two heavenly bodies or groups of heavenly bodies whose celestial longitudes differ by 180°, conducive to confrontation or revelation: an astrological aspect.

Electricity. the condition that exists when two waves of the same frequency are out of phase by one-half of a period.

Linguistics.

the relationship between any two alternative units within a linguistic system, especially between minimally distinct phonemes.
the feature that constitutes the difference between two such units.

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Origin of opposition

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin oppositiōn- (stem of oppositiō ), equivalent to opposit(us) (see opposite) + -iōn- -ion; replacing Middle English opposicioun, from Old French opposicion, from Latin as above

OTHER WORDS FROM opposition

op·po·si·tion·al, adjectiveop·po·si·tion·less, adjectivenon·op·po·si·tion, nounpre·op·po·si·tion, noun

su·per·op·po·si·tion, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH opposition

apposition, opposition

Words nearby opposition

opposite, opposite field, opposite number, opposite prompt, opposite sex, opposition, oppositional, oppositional defiant disorder, oppositionist, opposition research, oppress

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use opposition in a sentence

They also spearheaded an ultimately successful effort to remove an opposition president.
The problem of environmental racism in Mexico today is rooted in history|Jayson Porter|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
For starters, previous recall campaigns that have made the ballot have done so thanks to intense grassroots opposition to the governor, but this one may deserve a bit of an asterisk because of all the extra time it had to collect signatures.
California’s Gavin Newsom Will Likely Face A Recall Election — But He’ll Probably Survive It|Geoffrey Skelley (geoffrey.skelley@abc.com)|February 10, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
Leading opposition figures say there was no coup attempt — and that Moïse is no longer president.
Coup claim deepens Haiti's political crisis|Dave Lawler|February 8, 2021|Axios
Progress happens, and alongside it, opposition grows as well.
'We All Have to Create Our Own Universe.' Producer and Artist Zackary Drucker on Telling Nuanced Trans Stories|Suyin Haynes|February 8, 2021|Time

Although no one has officially registered any opposition to a new bill introduced by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, not everyone agrees that giving students a re-do is a good idea.
Morning Report: The Stormwater Deficit Is a Big Deal|Voice of San Diego|February 8, 2021|Voice of San Diego
First, as opposition to gay marriage collapses, American anti-LGBT activists will slow their battle against it.
‘Only God’ Can Stop Gay Marriage|Tim Mak|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The bill, which passed Congress without opposition, is only a temporary fix and expires in 2015.
Nazis, Sunscreen, and Sea Gull Eggs: Congress in 2014 Was Hella Productive|Ben Jacobs|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The opposition responded with a month-long Occupy Abay (like Occupy Wall St) campaign, in which Udaltsov was one of key figures.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Other journalists and opposition activists languish in prison on similar charges.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As for his harsh—some might even say paranoid—opposition to European integration, “most of us would support him.”
Vaclav Klaus, Libertarian Hero, Has His Wings Clipped by Cato Institute|James Kirchick|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Never had Punch secured the telling of that tale with so little opposition.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
"You are very sure of opposition—strangely sure, monsieur," said Garnache, looking him between the eyes.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Wait patiently until your side move over from the Opposition to the Government benches.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
At the store he would never have given in, but he was not accustomed to hearing so loud a murmur of approval greet the opposition.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
The Alcaid and his officers seized the favourable moment, and entered the house without opposition.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

British Dictionary definitions for opposition

opposition

/ (ˌɒpəˈzɪʃən) /

noun

the act of opposing or the state of being opposed

hostility, unfriendliness, or antagonism

a person or group antagonistic or opposite in aims to another

the opposition a political party or group opposed to the ruling party or government
(capital as part of a name, esp in Britain and other Commonwealth countries)Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition
in opposition (of a political party) opposing the government

a position facing or opposite another

the act of placing something facing or opposite something else

something that acts as an obstacle to some course or progress

astronomy

the position of an outer planet or the moon when it is in line or nearly in line with the earth as seen from the sun and is approximately at its nearest to the earth
the position of two celestial bodies when they appear to be diametrically opposite each other on the celestial sphereCompare conjunction (def. 4)

astrology an exact aspect of 180° between two planets, etc, an orb of 8° being allowedSee conjunction (def. 5), square (def. 10), trine (def. 1)

logic

the relation between propositions having the same subject and predicate but differing in quality, quantity, or both, as with all men are wicked; no men are wicked; some men are not wicked
square of opposition a diagram representing these relations with the contradictory propositions at diagonally opposite corners

the opposition chess a relative position of the kings in the endgame such that the player who has the move is at a disadvantagehis opponent has the opposition

Derived forms of opposition

oppositional, adjectiveoppositionist, nounoppositionless, adjective

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

Scientific definitions for opposition

opposition

[ ŏp′ə-zĭsh′ən ]

A characteristic movement of the primate thumb, in which the pad of the thumb can be placed in contact with the pads of the fingers of the same hand.

The position of two celestial bodies when their celestial longitude differs by 180°, especially a configuration in which Earth lies on a straight line between the Sun and a superior planet or the Moon. Planets in this position rise as the Sun sets and are visible all night long, reaching their highest point in the sky at midnight; the Moon in this position is full. Compare conjunction. See more at elongation.

opposition

Origin of opposition

OTHER WORDS FROM opposition

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH opposition

Words nearby opposition

Words related to opposition

How to use opposition in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for opposition

Derived forms of opposition

Scientific definitions for opposition