against

1 of 2

preposition

ə-ˈgen(t)st 

-ˈgin(t)st, 

-ˈgān(t)st

1

a

: in opposition or hostility to

spoke against his enemies

Together they waged a perfunctory battle against the outrageous behavior of that place …

—Toni Morrison

b

: not in conformity with : 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

against

2 of 2

conjunction

archaic

: in preparation for the time when

… throw on another log of wood against father comes home.

—Charles Dickens

Synonyms of against

Preposition

• on
• upon

Examples of against in a Sentence

Preposition

We must continue the struggle for justice and against injustice.

She voted against the proposal.

He spoke against appeasing the enemy.

Some people were for the proposal but others were against it.

There's a law against doing that.

two runners racing against each other

Touching the ball with your hands is against the rules.

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

Edmonton will finish play Thursday night at home against Vancouver. —ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026

Instead, Trea Turner’s leadoff home run Wednesday night was all the Philadelphia Phillies managed against Imanaga in a dominant outing in the Cubs’ 11-2 victory to secure a series win. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

The Magic went 0-4 on the road in a 2024 seven-game series against Cleveland and then lost three away games against the Celtics last postseason. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026

Collins has also filed a complaint against the school and fraternity, alleging the same set of circumstances that led to the deadly crash. —Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

Middle English ayenest, ayenst, ayeinst, agaynste, alteration (with parasitic -t, perhaps originally from partial assimilation to a following article) of ayeines, ageynes, from ayein, ageyn again + -es -'s

Conjunction

Middle English, derivative of against against entry 1

First Known Use

Preposition

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Conjunction

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for against

• commenced
• condensed
• dispensed
• expensed
• incensed
• unfenced
• fenced
• sensed
• tensed
• recommenced
• recompensed

Kids Definition

against

preposition

ə-ˈgen(t)st, 

-ˈgin(t)st, 

-ˈgān(t)st

1

a

: opposed to

a campaign against disease

play against each other

b

: contrary to

against the law

2

: opposite entry 4

over against the park

3

a

: in preparation for

storing food against the winter

b

: as a protection from

a shield against aggression

4

: in or into contact with

ran against a tree

leaning against the wall

5

: in a direction opposite to

against the wind

6

: before the background of

green trees against the blue sky