against 1 of 2

preposition

ə-ˈgen(t)st How to pronounce against (audio)
Definition of againstnext
1
as in on
in or into contact with he leaned against the fence and it collapsed unwittingly rubbed his leg against some poison ivy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in anti
opposed to; not for I'm against going to see the parade if it's raining

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

against

2 of 2

adjective

as in opposed

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of against
Preposition
The Brewers loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth against Calvin Faucher (4-5), who came in to open the inning. — Miami Herald, 19 July 2026 The King vs the Prince The clash of styles is one subplot but arguably not as exciting as the prospect of Messi coming up against Lamine Yamal. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Adjective
The hardworking, hard-to-play-against, honest types that get after it for your team or make life difficult on the opposing team with their persistence or heaviness. — Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 16 June 2026 Many of these are responses to the above points on the ‘against’ side, and some of them are proposals for directions to explore to help overcome the issues raised. — IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for against
Recent Examples of Synonyms for against
  1. on
  2. opposed
  3. upon
  4. unwilling
  5. averse
  6. reluctant
Preposition
  • The board voted 5-0 on June 16 to approve the project, which could add about 25,000 residents to a rural area along the Sacramento River in the Natomas basin west of the city of Sacramento.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
  • The man, identified by police as Joseph Gordon, is being held at the Parker County Jail on two counts of capital murder, according to the post.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026
Definition of on
Adjective
  • Among likely voters, 50% strongly oppose such construction and 28% are somewhat opposed.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
  • The seemingly militaristic act of archery and peaceful meditation may seem diametrically opposed.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of opposed
Preposition
  • An increase has not been formally agreed upon and is still under evaluation, officials said.
    — DJ Simmons June 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026
  • Since Köhler's early work, researchers have conducted similar experiments involving an out-of-reach reward and an object to stand upon in birds and elephants.
    — Ari Daniel, NPR, 7 June 2026
Definition of upon
Adjective
  • But controversies are plaguing the league, Clark has become an unwilling symbol of racial polarization and GOP members of Congress are entering the fray.
    — Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 17 July 2026
  • LeVota has said that the county is unwilling to settle out of court.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
Definition of unwilling
Adjective
  • Stearns, though, is an example of how a go-for-it push can go awry, leading to the exact scenario many of today’s risk-averse executives fear.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 July 2026
  • If women are perceived as risk-averse, some argue, this would explain why fewer women reach leadership positions.
    — Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of averse
Adjective
  • In a near-future where the elderly are physically reset into children to remain economically useful, a young woman becomes the reluctant caretaker of her newly reset mother.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 14 July 2026
  • Millions of homeowners who secured ultra-low mortgage rates before the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in 2022 are reluctant to sell because doing so would likely mean taking on a much more expensive mortgage.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of reluctant

Phrases Containing against

Browse Nearby Words

again and again
against
agape
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Cite this Entry

“Against.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/against. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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