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Synonyms

oppose

American

[uh-pohz] / əˈpoʊz /

verb (used with object)

to act against or provide resistance to; combat.

to vigorously oppose tyranny in every form.

Synonyms:

contravene, confront

Antonyms:

succumb, capitulate
to stand in the way of; hinder; obstruct.

Synonyms:

prevent
to set as an opponent or adversary.
to be hostile or adverse to, as in opinion.

to oppose a resolution in a debate.
to set as an obstacle or hindrance.
to set against in some relation, especially as to demonstrate a comparison or contrast.

to oppose advantages to disadvantages.
to use or take as being opposite or contrary.
to set (something) over against something else in place, or to set (two things) so as to face or be opposite to one another.

verb (used without object)

to be or act in opposition.

oppose British

/ əˈpəʊz /

verb

(tr) to fight against, counter, or resist strongly
(tr) to be hostile or antagonistic to; be against
(tr) to place or set in opposition; contrast or counterbalance
(tr) to place opposite or facing
(intr) to be or act in opposition

"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

Synonym Usage

Oppose, resist, withstand imply setting up a force against something. The difference between oppose and resist is somewhat similar to the one between offensive and defensive action. To oppose is mainly to fight against, in order to thwart, certain tendencies or procedures of which one does not approve: The lobbyists opposed the passage of the bill. Resist suggests that the subject is already threatened by the forces, or by the imminent possibility, against which they struggle: Our religion requires us to resist temptation. Whereas oppose always suggests an attitude of great disapproval, resist may imply an inner struggle in which the will is divided: She tried unsuccessfully to resist her craving for ice cream. Withstand generally implies successful resistance; it may refer to endurance that allows one to emerge unharmed ( to withstand a shock ), as well as to active resistance: The fort should be able to withstand an aerial attack.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of oppose

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French opposer, blend of Latin oppōnere “to set against” and Old French poser “to pose, place,” associated with the Latin past participle oppositus; see pose ¹

Explanation

To oppose something is to go against it or fight hard to stop it. A senator might oppose a bill, or a teen might oppose authority. Words starting with opp-, like opposite, opponent, and oppose, usually hint that there's a disagreement somewhere. You might oppose a decision if you don't agree with it or if it's the opposite of what you believe or know is right. Sometimes, though, to oppose just means to be on the other team.

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Vocabulary lists containing oppose

Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade 11)

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Common Core Grades 7–8, List 1

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

oppose opposes opposed opposing

In Brick Lane, the historic heart of London’s Bangladeshi community, residents oppose plans for a data centre in a disused brewery, citing the erosion of heritage and need for social housing.

From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026

Sixty-one percent of Americans would oppose a data center being built where they live, a late August poll by the Economist and YouGov found.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

And what about nonabusive parents who oppose a transition?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Most Americans dislike data centers: 75% of people say they would oppose a data center being built near where they live, according to one poll by Heatmap Pro.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 4, 2026

He could do no other than to oppose the law and to suffer the consequences for it.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

DeCrane said his group opposes the way it has been "marketed" to firefighters, including in Spokane where morning briefings fire chiefs to their crews included suggestions that they visit a volunteer tent for treatment.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

It also opposes the use of volunteers from the National Youth Service as airport staff.

From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026

Texas Instruments said it “strongly opposes the use of our chips in Russian and Iranian military equipment and the illicit diversion of our products to Russia and Iran.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

Postal Service, and, the mail was returned as undeliverable, which Cohen’s office opposes including in the measure.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

He has opposed the invasion of Pennsylvania, but once the army is committed he no longer opposes.

From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara

Raman has often opposed the law’s use in council, saying it merely shifts encampments from block to block.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

He is not opposed to others in the squad using his methods, either - in April, a fire was lit at the club's training ground before they hosted Sporting in the Champions League.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

Kennedy strenuously supported the civil-rights movement but opposed racial preferences.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

I’m not completely opposed to the idea, but I’m struggling with whether it’s fair.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

Nazism and Lysenkoism were based on dramatically opposed conceptions of heredity—but the parallels between the two movements are striking.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Iran and the UAE have been on opposing ends of the war in the Middle East, with Tehran launching missiles and drones at its fellow Brics member as the conflict sent shockwaves across global economies.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

Regan also criticized The Times’ reporting on the allegations, and an editorial opposing Proposition 40.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2026

PEN America said its longstanding policy on cultural and academic boycotts hasn’t changed, opposing boycotts institutionally while defending the rights of individuals to engage in them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

They admired one another from afar, brushed shoulders only in passing, and, in some ways, represented opposing ways of challenging the limits placed on women in indie rock.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

I stride past the opposing team, right up to Pop and Dad.

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023