opposition

noun op·po·si·tion \ ˌä-pə-ˈzi-shən \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of opposition

1 :a configuration (see configuration 1b) in which one celestial (see ¹celestial 2) body is opposite another (such as the sun) in the sky or in which the elongation (see elongation 1) is near or equal to 180 degrees

2 :the relation between two propositions having the same subject and predicate but differing in quantity or quality or both

3 :an act of setting opposite or over against :the condition of being so set

He spoke in opposition to the new law.

4 :hostile or contrary action or condition

offered strong opposition to the advance of the enemy

5 a :something that opposes; specifically :a body of persons opposing something

Each candidate is focused on raising more money than the opposition.

b often capitalized :a political party opposing and prepared to replace the party in power

The opposition is likely to win the upcoming election.

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oppositional

play \ˌä-pə-ˈzish-nəl, -ˈzi-shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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Examples of opposition in a Sentence

They're going ahead with the plans despite strong opposition from residents.
The nominee faces strong opposition in the Senate.
The proposed change has met with opposition from the town's business leaders.
Rebels have so far offered little opposition to advancing troops.
Each candidate is focused on raising more money than the opposition.
The coach advised her team not to underestimate the opposition.
The leader of the Opposition criticized the prime minister for his comments.

Recent Examples of opposition from the Web

Neville fired the first shot, killing an opposition leader.

— carrie hagen, Smithsonian, "The First Presidential Pardon Pitted Alexander Hamilton Against George Washington," 29 Aug. 2017
This is an official in the Qatari government, talking to an opposition member who was banned in Bahrain, conspiring against Bahrain.

— kathy gilsinan, The Atlantic, "Emirati Ambassador: Qatar Is a Destructive Force in the Region," 28 Aug. 2017
Of course, the opposition to Measure C would have also been far more strident if those opponents felt the initiative had a snowball’s chance of passage.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Doesn't matter, but Chargers fans get new reason to say 'What if?'," 28 Aug. 2017
Although the Taliban is the main opposition force in Afghanistan, an IS affiliate has emerged there, too.

— robert burns, chicagotribune.com, "Pentagon chief, in Baghdad, says militants are 'on the run'," 22 Aug. 2017
The proposal — drawn up by board members Oliver Barber, Nicole Walton and Rip Hatfield — has sparked opposition from some Louisville Metro Council members.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "Mayor Greg Fischer opposes plan to charge for parking 5 days a week at Waterfront Park," 22 Aug. 2017
Maduro’s opposition is also split over what the U.S. should do, now that Trump has raised the specter — painfully familiar to Latin Americans — of deploying the U.S. military.

— patricia mazzei, miamiherald, "In Miami, Pence will try to escape long shadow of Trump’s military talk on Venezuela," 22 Aug. 2017
Two people spoke in opposition to the idea Thursday morning.

— carrie blackmore smith, Cincinnati.com, "Mount Airy Forest mountain bike trail greenlighted," 17 Aug. 2017
White supremacists marched in opposition to the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue from a city park.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "Scottsboro man accused of growing 7-foot-tall marijuana plants behind home," 16 Aug. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of opposition

Middle English opposicioun "location opposite something, contrary opinion, opposition of celestial bodies," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French oposicion (Anglo-French opposicion "objection, questioning"), borrowed from Medieval Latin oppositiōn-, oppositiō, going back to Late Latin, "contradiction, antithesis" (loan translation of Greek antíthesis), from Latin opposi-, variant stem of oppōnere "to place (over or against), place as an obstacle, set in opposition to, argue in reply" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at oppose

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First Known Use: 14th century

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opposition Synonyms

Synonyms

defiance, resistance

Antonyms

acquiescence

Related Words

demur, objection, protest, remonstrance; compunction, misgiving, reservation; disobedience, noncompliance, recalcitrance

Near Antonyms

compliance, obedience; acceptance, approval

OPPOSITION Defined for English Language Learners

opposition

noun

Definition of opposition for English Language Learners

: actions or opinions that show that you disagree with or disapprove of someone or something
: action that is done to stop or defeat someone or something
the opposition : a person or group that you are trying to defeat or succeed against : a person or group that you are competing with