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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

Overall, 87% of Americans support this and 10% oppose it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

Overall, 57% of Americans support this and 39% oppose it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

"The nature of the craft is to oppose," he says, adding that cartoonists, like journalists, must question whoever holds power.

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

According to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll that was released Wednesday, 2 out of every 3 Americans oppose the construction of new U.S. data centers, while 57% said AI is a bad thing for society,

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026

Our consciences dictate that we must protest against it, that we must oppose it and that we must attempt to alter it..

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

He opposes the Damac project because it would continue to add to the industrial complex that is already disrupting the harmony of the community, he said, and is pushing up local taxes and living costs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

The Massachusetts Municipal Association, a nonprofit organization, opposes the measure.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

Beijing has said it firmly opposes import quotas.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

Ma opposes the measure, saying, “We are trying to make voting accessible and easier.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

He is sympathetic to the slaveholding South and opposes any limit on slavery.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Buyouts, as opposed to layoffs, can be tricky, though.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

King and Carpenter didn’t know the first thing about making chocolate, but agreed that they wanted to offer more unique flavors as opposed to competing with the classic and more established brands.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

Some 61% of Americans are somewhat or strongly opposed to the construction of new data centers where they live, according to a survey from the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

"Reconstructing the lives of extinct life forms in a scientifically rigorous way, as opposed to just telling stories, is a precise and delicate undertaking," said Bhart-Anjan Bhullar, senior author of the study.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2026

When he passed through Thrace on his way to Greece, the god was insulted by one of the kings there, Lycurgus, who bitterly opposed this new worship.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

When opposing nations recognize their vulnerability to widespread economic and institutional disruption, the incentives to negotiate could become more powerful than the incentives to fight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026

One event may not seem related to another unless you know the two hip-hop stars represent opposing sides in a spiteful cold war that’s dragged on since 2017.

From Salon ● Oct. 27, 2026

You and your husband are not on opposing sides.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 24, 2026

Vance is also known to have met Burmese officials in Tokyo in June, again in Tokyo this month, and to have met representatives of the groups opposing military rule.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

The pilots and navigators of the 587th kept a long-running volleyball competition going whenever they got a free moment, with the two flight squadrons making up their opposing teams.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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