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
5a : 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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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
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Here, the firing of James Comey arouses not support or opposition, but rather, indifference.
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That measure passed the Senate without opposition, and Noland was quoted as supporting the legislation in a statement posed on the Illinois Senate Democrats website.
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Facing solid Democratic opposition to demolishing former President Barack Obama’s 2010 overhaul, Republicans will lose if just three of their 52 senators defect.
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Promises that the treatment of blacks in the U.S. had changed were not realized, and her vocal opposition led to her being replaced by Gypsy Rose Lee.
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Evans, the daughter of millworkers who used the HOPE Scholarship to be the first in her family to graduate from college, led the opposition to the cuts.
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The decision will probably increase the chances that Zuma, 75, will survive a no-confidence motion called by opposition parties in parliament, whether or not the Constitutional Court orders a secret ballot for the vote.
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A prominent Shiite leader and former lawmaker here, Izzat Shahbander, has become a leading voice of opposition to the highway project.
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In the massive, bottomless void that leaves in the White House, the usual suspects in conservative politics have been allowed to run riot and propose policies in direct opposition to his campaign platform.
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.
First Known Use of opposition
14th century
OPPOSITION Defined for English Language Learners
opposition
playDefinition of opposition for English Language Learners
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: actions or opinions that show that you disagree with or disapprove of someone or something
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: action that is done to stop or defeat someone or something
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the opposition : a person or group that you are trying to defeat or succeed against : a person or group that you are competing with
OPPOSITION Defined for Kids
opposition
playDefinition of opposition for Students
1 : the state of disagreeing with or disapproving of He voiced his opposition.
2 : the action of resisting The proposal met with fierce opposition.
3 : a group of people that disagree with, disapprove of, or resist someone or something
Learn More about opposition
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See words that rhyme with opposition Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for opposition Spanish Central: Translation of opposition Nglish: Translation of opposition for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of opposition for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about opposition
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