opposition

American  

[op-uh-zish-uhn] / ˌɒp əˈzɪʃ ən /

noun

1. the action of opposing, resisting, or combating.

2. antagonism or hostility.

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

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

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

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

7. Logic.

   1. the relation between two propositions that have the same subject and predicate, but which differ in quantity or quality, or in both.

   2. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

11. Linguistics.

    1. the relationship between any two alternative units within a linguistic system, especially between minimally distinct phonemes.

    2. the feature that constitutes the difference between two such units.

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opposition British  

/ ˌɒpəˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of opposing or the state of being opposed

2. hostility, unfriendliness, or antagonism

3. a person or group antagonistic or opposite in aims to another

4. 1. a political party or group opposed to the ruling party or government

   2. ( capital as part of a name, esp in Britain and other Commonwealth countries )

      Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition

   3. (of a political party) opposing the government

5. a position facing or opposite another

6. the act of placing something facing or opposite something else

7. something that acts as an obstacle to some course or progress

8. astronomy

   1. 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

   2. the position of two celestial bodies when they appear to be diametrically opposite each other on the celestial sphere Compare conjunction

9. astrology an exact aspect of 180° between two planets, etc, an orb of 8° being allowed See conjunction square trine

10. logic

    1. 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

    2. a diagram representing these relations with the contradictory propositions at diagonally opposite corners

11. chess a relative position of the kings in the endgame such that the player who has the move is at a disadvantage

    his opponent has the opposition

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opposition Scientific  

/ ŏp′ə-zĭsh′ən /

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Compare conjunction See more at elongation

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Other Word Forms

• nonopposition noun
• oppositional adjective
• oppositionist noun
• oppositionless adjective
• preopposition noun
• superopposition noun

Etymology

Origin of opposition

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

Example Sentences

The amount of own goals that Arsenal benefit from is in part down to their excellence from set-pieces and the pressure they put on oppositions.

From BBC

Her handling of U.S. pressure over political prisoners reflects Rodriguez’s broader strategy, said current and former U.S. officials and the Venezuelan opposition.

From The Wall Street Journal

Critics say Kainerugaba has brooked little opposition in the country, acting decisively against anyone perceived as a threat to his father's administration.

From BBC

He pointed out that "opposition candidates and some ethnic groups were excluded" from standing in the election, which had its first round on 28 December.

From BBC

He will face opposition from many on the Fed staff and from the central-banking clerisy that includes the recent Fed chairs he has criticized.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• enemy
• foe
• opponent
• rebel
• rival