against 1 of 2

preposition

ə-ˈgen(t)st How to pronounce against (audio)
Definition of againstnext
1
as in on
in or into contact with he leaned against the fence and it collapsed unwittingly rubbed his leg against some poison ivy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in anti
opposed to; not for I'm against going to see the parade if it's raining

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

against

2 of 2

adjective

as in opposed

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of against
Preposition
In the meantime, veteran Lloyd Cushenberry III took every first-team snap against Carolina. — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026 In the final, which pitted corgis against each other over 25 meters (82 feet), the winner was American competitor GG, short for Gustave the Girl Dog. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The hardworking, hard-to-play-against, honest types that get after it for your team or make life difficult on the opposing team with their persistence or heaviness. — Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 16 June 2026 Many of these are responses to the above points on the ‘against’ side, and some of them are proposals for directions to explore to help overcome the issues raised. — IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for against
Recent Examples of Synonyms for against
  1. on
  2. opposed
  3. upon
  4. unwilling
  5. averse
  6. reluctant
Preposition
  • The Democratic National Committee is expected to vote on Saturday to approve the new order of states for the 2028 presidential nominating process as progressives and moderates grapple over the party's direction in the midterms.
    — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • While black bears are known to inhabit nearly every town in Connecticut, they are concentrated more heavily in the western half of the state, and both DEEP and the research team have focused their efforts on studying that population of bears.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of on
Adjective
  • Although Jewish California has now taken a neutral position on the bill, both the CSU and UC systems remain opposed.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • O’Neill was a social and fiscal moderate opposed to enacting a state income tax.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of opposed
Preposition
  • An increase has not been formally agreed upon and is still under evaluation, officials said.
    — DJ Simmons June 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026
  • Since Köhler's early work, researchers have conducted similar experiments involving an out-of-reach reward and an object to stand upon in birds and elephants.
    — Ari Daniel, NPR, 7 June 2026
Definition of upon
Adjective
  • Barcelona believe the Argentina striker wants to join, but Atletico are unwilling to sell for anything close to the €100m or so that the Camp Nou outfit are currently able to offer.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, in their wake, the league veered far in the other direction, taking the finesse out of the game and turning on-court play into a street fight, with officials unable or unwilling to get their arms round the physicality.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of unwilling
Adjective
  • When even the most risk-averse institutions in government are onboarding AI, waiting for perfect clarity has stopped being the cautious choice.
    — Matt Ashburn, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • For cat-averse travelers, the tiny Romano-Gothic Church of St Michael in the same square houses the Kotor Lapidarium, a collection of stone artifacts from the Illyro-Roman period to the end of the 18th century.
    — Jonathan Wiggin, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of averse
Adjective
  • Maumelle Animal Shelter The pit viper was so reluctant to exit the helmet that police officers had to pour water into it to force the snake out and into a bag.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Advertisers were reluctant to run commercials during subsequent commemorations in the first few years following the attacks, but time has softened some of those concerns.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of reluctant

Phrases Containing against

Browse Nearby Words

again and again
against
agape
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Against.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/against. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on against

Nglish: Translation of against for Spanish Speakers

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