as opposed to
idiom
—used to refer to something that is different from what has just been mentioned
The car gets 30 miles per gallon, as opposed to last year's model, which got only 25.
They use fresh fish, as opposed to fish that has been frozen.
I'd say she is a good player, as opposed to a great one.
Examples of as opposed to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Is this an area that should be left for fiction as opposed to the more delicate balance of dealing with real people’s lives [in true crime podcasting]?
—
Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Even if the hurricane's fiercest winds begin to wane as the hurricane approaches land, the hurricane center warned there is little difference in the destructive power of winds that are Category 4 (130-156 mph) as opposed to Category 5, (greater than 157 mph).
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
The share of customers using delivery specifically, as opposed to picking up takeout or going to a drive-through, more than doubled from 2019 to 2024.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
But Saturn pushes you to create harmony that’s rooted in healthy reciprocity, as opposed to compromise that silences your needs.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for as opposed to
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.
Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Even if the hurricane's fiercest winds begin to wane as the hurricane approaches land, the hurricane center warned there is little difference in the destructive power of winds that are Category 4 (130-156 mph) as opposed to Category 5, (greater than 157 mph).
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
The share of customers using delivery specifically, as opposed to picking up takeout or going to a drive-through, more than doubled from 2019 to 2024.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
But Saturn pushes you to create harmony that’s rooted in healthy reciprocity, as opposed to compromise that silences your needs.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for as opposed to
Cite this Entry
“As opposed to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/as%20opposed%20to. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share