oppose

play

verb op·pose \ ə-ˈpōz \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of oppose

opposed; opposing

transitive verb

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

—

opposer

noun

See oppose defined for English-language learners

See oppose defined for kids

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 of oppose from the Web

The council approved deliveries last year on a 3-2 vote with Feller and Wood opposed.

— phil diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Oceanside continues crafting medical marijuana ordinance," 30 Aug. 2017
Dave Domina, an attorney for Sheridan County residents who oppose the stores, said the stores failed to follow proper legal procedures when appealing the commission’s decision.

— grant schulte, The Seattle Times, "Court to decide fate of beer stores near dry SD reservation," 29 Aug. 2017
One declared candidate opposing Mr. Collins is Erin Cole, whose impressive résumé includes doing tactical military intelligence as a soldier in the Army during the Persian Gulf war in the early 1990s.

— jesse mckinley, New York Times, "Take 6 Congressional Races. Add Gov. Cuomo. Stir the Pot.," 29 Aug. 2017
But personally, I'm staunchly opposed to a better than nothing mentality.

— amber rambharose, Glamour, "Sorry, But Makeup Wipes Are the Actual Worst," 23 Aug. 2017
The stealthy F-35 Lightning II, with a top speed around Mach 1.6, is simply beyond North Korea's ability to oppose.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "The F-35 Is on Its Way to Stare Down North Korea," 17 Aug. 2017
Bergé still tweets, and clearly with a certain delight in trolling those who opposed the cause.

— james mcauley, Town & Country, "Is Pierre Bergé the Most Powerful Man In France?," 16 Aug. 2017
Over the weekend, white nationalists marching on Charlottesville, Virginia, were protested by people opposing their racist beliefs.

— mehera bonner, Marie Claire, "Solange Has Deleted Twitter in the Wake of the White Nationalist March in Charlottesville," 16 Aug. 2017
Like most Quakers of his time, Lay opposed carrying distinctions of class into the afterlife; he was buried in an unmarked grave, near his cherished Sarah, in the Quaker burial ground in Abington.

— marcus rediker, Smithsonian, "The “Quaker Comet” Was the Greatest Abolitionist You’ve Never Heard Of," 15 Aug. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of 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, ¹pose," 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 ¹position

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First Known Use: 1579

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oppose Synonyms

Synonyms

buck, defy, fight, resist, repel, withstand

Antonyms

bow (to), capitulate (to), give in (to), knuckle under (to), stoop (to), submit (to), succumb (to), surrender (to), yield (to)

Related Words

battle, combat, contend (with); challenge, contest, contradict, dispute; baffle, balk, foil, frustrate, thwart; check, counter, hinder, obstruct, stem

Near Antonyms

abide, bear, endure, suffer; advocate, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), support, uphold

Synonym Discussion of 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

OPPOSE Defined for English Language Learners

oppose

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verb

Definition of oppose for English Language Learners

: to disagree with or disapprove of (something or someone)
: to compete against (someone) : to be an opponent of (someone)
: to try to stop or defeat (something)

OPPOSE Defined for Kids

oppose

play

verb op·pose \ ə-ˈpōz \

Definition of oppose for Students

opposed; opposing

1 :to disagree with or disapprove of

They oppose the proposed changes.

2 :to compete against

She will oppose the mayor in November's election.

3 :to provide contrast to

Good opposes evil.

4 :to offer resistance to :try to stop or defeat

The group will oppose the new law.

Medical Dictionary

oppose

play

transitive verb op·pose \ ə-ˈpōz \

medical Definition of oppose

opposed; opposing

:to place the ball of (a first digit) against the corresponding part of a second digit of the same hand or foot

some monkeys oppose the big toe

Learn More about oppose

See words that rhyme with oppose Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for oppose Spanish Central: Translation of oppose Nglish: Translation of oppose for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of oppose for Arabic speakers

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oppose

Definition of oppose

opposer

From the M-W Editors

Examples of oppose in a Sentence

Recent Examples of oppose from the Web

Origin and Etymology of oppose

oppose Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of oppose

Phrases Related to OPPOSE

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OPPOSE Defined for English Language Learners

oppose

Definition of oppose for English Language Learners

OPPOSE Defined for Kids

oppose

Definition of oppose for Students

Medical Dictionary

oppose

medical Definition of oppose

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