oppose

op·pose

verb \ə-ˈpōz\

op·posedop·pos·ing

Definition of OPPOSE

transitive verb

1

: to place over against something so as to provide resistance, counterbalance, or contrast

2

: to place opposite or against something

3

: to offer resistance to

— op·pos·er noun

Examples of OPPOSE

1. The governor opposes the death penalty.
2. The change is opposed by many of the town's business leaders.
3. The group opposes the mayor and is trying to find a candidate to run against her.
4. You've opposed every suggestion I've made.
5. He met the man who will oppose him in the next election.
6. These two teams opposed each other in last year's playoffs.
7. We're hoping we can get more senators to oppose the legislation.

Origin of OPPOSE

French opposer, from Latin opponere (perfect indicative opposui), from ob- against + ponere to place — more at ob-, position

First Known Use: 1579

Related to OPPOSE

Synonyms: buck, defy, fight, resist, repel, withstand

Antonyms: bow (to), capitulate (to), give in (to), knuckle under (to), stoop (to), submit (to), succumb (to), surrender (to), yield (to)

Related Words: battle, combat, contend (with); challenge, contest, contradict, dispute; baffle, balk, foil, frustrate, thwart; check, counter, hinder, obstruct, stem

Near Antonyms: abide, bear, endure, suffer; advocate, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), support, uphold

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of OPPOSE

oppose, combat, resist, withstand mean to set oneself against someone or something. oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare <opposed the plan>. combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something <combat disease>. resist implies an overt recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive effort to counteract or repel it <resisting temptation>. withstand suggests a more passive resistance <trying to withstand peer pressure>.

Rhymes with OPPOSE

appose, bluenose, brownnose, compose, depose, dextrose, disclose, dispose, dog rose, enclose, expose, foreclose, fructose, glucose, hardnose, impose, Montrose, moss rose, musk rose, old rose, primrose, propose, pug nose, repose, rockrose, suppose, transpose, tuberose, unclose, viscose, wind rose