oppose

verb

op·​pose ə-ˈpōz 

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

Synonyms

• buck
• defy
• fight
• repel
• resist
• withstand

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

Contemporary sources suggest that while Sudeten Germans had long supported policies that would improve their position and guarantee their rights within the Czechoslovak republic, significant numbers opposed annexation to Nazi Germany. —TIME, 16 Apr. 2024

Senators opposed to the bill have called it a property rights issue, arguing that the state should not be getting involved in a local dispute. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024

But the California Solar & Storage Association, which opposed the commission’s decision, estimated the average rate of compensation would drop from 30 cents per kilowatt-hour to 8 cents — a reduction of 75 percent. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2024

Federal prosecutors opposed an earlier bid by Hernandez to delay the sentencing but changed their position in response to her request last month. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2024

Hamas will oppose being sidelined, and this opposition would have to be resisted by other leaders in Gaza and by regional patrons, especially Egypt and Qatar. —Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2024

German opposition parties the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) oppose the changes, saying the current wording of the law already offers enough protection for women seeking abortions. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024

Scream at the referees, your players, opposing players? —Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024

Mike Pence, Mark Esper, John Bolton national security officials Some former Trump administration officials are actively opposing his reelection. —USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

oppose

verb

op·​pose ə-ˈpōz 

opposed; opposing

1

: to be or place opposite or against something

2

: to offer resistance to : stand against : resist

Medical Definition

oppose

transitive verb

op·​pose ə-ˈpōz 

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