opposition

[ op-uh-zish-uh n ]

/ ˌɒp əˈzɪʃ ən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR opposition 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 initial capital letter) 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.

Nearby words

opposite field, opposite number, opposite number, one's, opposite prompt, opposite sex, opposition, oppositional disorder, oppositionist, oppress, oppressed, oppression

Origin of opposition

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

Related forms

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

su·per·op·po·si·tion, nounun·op·po·si·tion·al, adjective

Can be confused

apposition opposition

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for oppositional

The problem with being really satisfied with an oppositional strategy is that it makes it awfully hard to be for something.
Don't Become THAT Party, Republicans|Justin Green|January 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I was never diagnosed with disorders like Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Asperger's Syndrome.
I Was Adam Lanza, Part 2|David Frum|December 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
After a battery of psychological tests, Sean had been diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder.
Should Juvenile Criminals Be Sentenced Like Adults?|Clark Merrefield|November 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Or it can fall victim to the minefield of oppositional street politics.
Occupy Oakland’s Violent Turn Proves the Movement Has Lost Its Way|Christopher Haugh|January 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST

You could manifest the qualities of oppositional defiance as early as three or four, I guess.
'We Need To Talk About Kevin': Do Inherently Evil Kids Exist?|Marlow Stern|December 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The oppositional Evening Journal has missed a capital opportunity of weeping over the barbarity of the soldateska.
Library of the World's Best literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 12|Various
Thereupon the oppositional elements increased in numbers and displayed a marked combative disposition.
The Inside Story Of The Peace Conference|Emile Joseph Dillon
Oppositional splendour is there, and the stained radiance of a Bachian chorale.
Unicorns|James Huneker
To this normal state of oppositional contraction the name "muscular tonicity" is given.
The Psychology of Singing|David C. Taylor

British Dictionary definitions for oppositional

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

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

Science definitions for oppositional

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

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of opposition

Related forms

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for oppositional

British Dictionary definitions for oppositional

opposition

noun

Derived Forms

Science definitions for oppositional

opposition