against

¹against

preposition \ə-ˈgen(t)st, -ˈgin(t)st, -ˈgān(t)st\

Definition of AGAINST

1

a : in opposition or hostility to <spoke against his enemies>

b : contrary to <against the law>

c : in competition with <racing against each other>

d : as a basis for disapproval of <had nothing against him>

2

a : directly opposite : facing <she sat down just over against me — Daniel Defoe>

b obsolete : exposed to

3

: compared or contrasted with <profits are up against last year>

4

a : in preparation or provision for <saving against an uncertain future>

b : as a defense or protection from <a shelter against the cold>

5

a : in the direction of and into contact with <knocked against the ropes>

b : in contact with <leaning against the wall>

6

: in a direction opposite to the motion or course of : counter to <sail against the wind>

7

a : as a counterbalance to <weighing risk against profit>

b : in exchange for <a lower rate against the dollar>

c : as a charge on <charged against her account>

8

: before the background of <viewed against the sky>

Examples of AGAINST

1. We must continue the struggle for justice and against injustice.
2. She voted against the proposal.
3. He spoke against appeasing the enemy.
4. Some people were for the proposal but others were against it.
5. There's a law against doing that.
6. two runners racing against each other
7. Touching the ball with your hands is against the rules.

Origin of AGAINST

Middle English, alteration of againes, from again

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to AGAINST

Synonyms

on, upon

Antonyms

for, pro

Related Words

alongside, next, next to; upside

²against

conjunction

Definition of AGAINST

archaic

: in preparation for the time when <throw on another log of wood against father comes home — Charles Dickens>

First Known Use of AGAINST

14th century