the opposite sex
noun
: the people who are not the same sex : the other sex
—used by men to refer to women or by women to refer to men
He's never been comfortable around (members of) the opposite sex.
Examples of the opposite sex in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The alpha heroes of 1980s romances—ranch owners, corporate raiders, anyone played by Michael Douglas—tended to be emotionally constipated anti-feminists intent on dominating the opposite sex by using testosterone and wads of cash.
—
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
At school, for the first time, the Brodericks were exposed to children of the opposite sex.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
The production required a leap of the imagination for both Schneider and Seydoux who play characters, who have remained the same in spirit, but are now locked in the bodies of somebody of the opposite sex and whose previous life is a mystery.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 May 2026
The district also agreed to submit annual certifications in 2026, 2028 and 2028 showing that students are not using facilities designed for the opposite sex, education records are available for parent inspection, and related policies are posted prominently online.
—Kendrick Calfee
may 9, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2026
The department found that as many as 61 students are competing on teams of the opposite sex in the district.
—Lisa Frizell, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
If the law is passed, anyone who enters a public facility like a bathroom or locker room designated for the opposite sex could be sentenced to a year in jail for a misdemeanor first offense, or up to five years in prison for a felony second offense.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Wardens were previously required to provide, as well as cover the cost of, hormonal drugs and medically unnecessary procedures to prisoners who sought to physically alter themselves to appear as the opposite sex.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026
Except its patrons flanked the perimeter of the space, speaking in hushed tones, sizing up the opposite sex.
—A.r. Carter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
At school, for the first time, the Brodericks were exposed to children of the opposite sex.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
The production required a leap of the imagination for both Schneider and Seydoux who play characters, who have remained the same in spirit, but are now locked in the bodies of somebody of the opposite sex and whose previous life is a mystery.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 May 2026
The district also agreed to submit annual certifications in 2026, 2028 and 2028 showing that students are not using facilities designed for the opposite sex, education records are available for parent inspection, and related policies are posted prominently online.
—Kendrick Calfee
may 9, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2026
The department found that as many as 61 students are competing on teams of the opposite sex in the district.
—Lisa Frizell, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
If the law is passed, anyone who enters a public facility like a bathroom or locker room designated for the opposite sex could be sentenced to a year in jail for a misdemeanor first offense, or up to five years in prison for a felony second offense.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Wardens were previously required to provide, as well as cover the cost of, hormonal drugs and medically unnecessary procedures to prisoners who sought to physically alter themselves to appear as the opposite sex.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026
Except its patrons flanked the perimeter of the space, speaking in hushed tones, sizing up the opposite sex.
—A.r. Carter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“The opposite sex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20opposite%20sex. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
