oppose

verb

op·pose | \ ə-ˈpōz

opposed; opposing

Definition of oppose

1 : to place over against something so as to provide resistance, counterbalance, or contrast one military force opposed to another concreteness as opposed to abstraction— L. E. Lynch

2 : to place opposite or against something oppose the enemy oppose a congressional bill

3 : to offer resistance to

Other Words from oppose Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about oppose

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of oppose in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

While the industry might have opposed the legislation at the forefront, by this point the MATS equipment is in place. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "EPA Wants To Hollow Out Regulations That Safeguard Against Mercury Poisoning," 28 Dec. 2018 But neighbors opposed the plans, battling zoning changes and the crowds that might come with a tourist destination. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Spiraling Frank Lloyd Wright house can be yours for $12.9M," 4 Sep. 2018 So as opposed to getting muddled with that, to focus on the real cause. — Abby Gardner, Glamour, "Meghan Markle Just Spoke Out on International Women's Day—Here Are Her Best Quotes," 8 Mar. 2019 According to Kipman's presentation, Remote Rendering will be able to process holograms of up to 100 million polygons, as opposed to just 100,000 polygons by the native hardware. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Microsoft launches HoloLens 2 with a strong business bent," 24 Feb. 2019 An opposing notion holds that the sudden creation of a new space within the joint (like from pulling it) makes the sound, not the collapse of gassy little bubbles. — Korin Miller, SELF, "Here’s What It Means If Your Knee Just Won’t Stop Popping," 23 Sep. 2018 Some opposing fans even got into disparaging arguments that saw both sides slinging obscene personal insults. — Marci Robin, Allure, "Tom Ford Named a New Boys & Girls Lipstick After Cardi B and It Sparked a Heated Debate on Instagram," 9 Sep. 2018 The carved out rectangular gashes in the opposing hillsides of a natural valley were in a state of crumbling disarray. — Anne Slowey, Condé Nast Traveler, "Fear and Self-Loathing in the American Southwest," 25 July 2018 An opposing camp spearheaded by France cautions against rushing under pressure from Washington. — Paul Hannon, WSJ, "EU’s Trade Surplus With U.S., a Bone of Contention for Trump, Hits Record," 15 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oppose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for oppose

Middle English opposen "to question, examine, accuse" (as past participle opposed "opposite, contrary"), borrowed from Anglo-French opposer "to counter, argue in opposition, question, interrogate," re-formation, with poser "to place, pose entry 1," of Latin oppōnere (perfect opposuī, past participle oppositus) "to place (over or against), place as an obstacle, set in opposition to, argue in reply," from ob- ob- + pōnere "to place, set" — more at position entry 1