go against
phrasal verb
went against; gone against; going against; goes against
1
: to not agree with (something)
I won't do anything that goes against my conscience/beliefs/principles.
values that go against those of society
2
: to oppose (someone or something)
He was surprised when some of his former supporters went against him.
He was reluctant to go against his parents' wishes.
3
: to compete against (a player or team) in a contest or game
The Red Sox will be going against the Yankees in tonight's game.
4
: to not be good for (someone) : to not produce the result that is wanted by (someone)
Everything seemed to be going against her but she didn't give up hope.
The verdict went against the defendant.
Examples of go against in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though royals have often favored sapphires, Diana's engagement ring wasn't custom-made, which went against royal tradition.
—
Ariana Quihuiz, People.com, 3 Aug. 2025
But the administration reversed itself in late March after the General Assembly went against Lamont’s wishes and ordered a supplemental $40 million increase in special education grants for K-12 school districts.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2025
Who better for rookie left guard Donovan Jackson to pick the brain of than a guy who has gone against the Kenny Clarks of the world for almost a decade?
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Volunteering while traveling goes against the grain.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for go against
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Ariana Quihuiz, People.com, 3 Aug. 2025
But the administration reversed itself in late March after the General Assembly went against Lamont’s wishes and ordered a supplemental $40 million increase in special education grants for K-12 school districts.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2025
Who better for rookie left guard Donovan Jackson to pick the brain of than a guy who has gone against the Kenny Clarks of the world for almost a decade?
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Volunteering while traveling goes against the grain.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for go against
Cite this Entry
“Go against.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20against. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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