opposition

noun

op·​po·​si·​tion ˌä-pə-ˈzi-shən 

1

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

He spoke in opposition to the new law.

2

: hostile or contrary action or condition

offered strong opposition to the advance of the enemy

3

a

: something that opposes

specifically : a body of persons opposing something

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

b

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

The opposition is likely to win the upcoming election.

4

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

5

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

The propositions "Every box is empty" and "Some box is not empty" are in contradictory opposition.

oppositional

ˌä-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of opposition

• resistance
• objection

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 on the Web

The army has long held a dominant role in the country’s politics, though its civilian proxy was roundly defeated in 2020 polls — just before a coup the following year which then revived dormant fighting between the military and myriad ethnic opposition forces. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 30 Dec. 2025

Her log grew to a couple of hundred names, largely in opposition, and 60% of whom were in her district. —Cate Charron, IndyStar, 30 Dec. 2025

On these winter evenings, the gas giant will be at opposition — the point when Earth will sit in between the fifth planet and the sun. —Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 30 Dec. 2025

The exiled opposition coalition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) reported widespread strikes and student protests across Tehran and multiple provincial cities, describing clashes with security forces and anti-government chants. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing opposition

• in opposition to
• leader of the opposition
• square of opposition
• the opposition

Rhymes for opposition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

opposition

noun

op·​po·​si·​tion ˌäp-ə-ˈzish-ən 

1

: the state of being opposite

2

: the action of resisting

offer opposition to a plan

the opposition of two forces

3

a

: a group of persons (as a team or an enemy force) that oppose someone or something

b

often capitalized : a political party opposing the party in power