1
as in resistance
the inclination to resist
most of the opposition to the proposed smoking ban is coming from bar owners worried about its impact on their businesses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in oppositeness
the quality or state of being as different as possible
her actions stand in direct opposition to her words
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 opposition
Figures in the main opposition Republican People’s Party, known by its Turkish initials CHP, have dismissed the charges as politically motivated.
—
Beril Akman, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
And last month, a developer pitching a flagpole annexation into Palmer Lake to accommodate the construction of a Buc-ee’s travel center on I-25 — just south of the Douglas County line — withdrew its application following vocal community opposition to the project.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
His nearly four-decade rule was marked by staunch opposition to both countries as well as any efforts to reform or modernize Iran.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
Why does courage spark opposition?
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opposition
Beril Akman, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
And last month, a developer pitching a flagpole annexation into Palmer Lake to accommodate the construction of a Buc-ee’s travel center on I-25 — just south of the Douglas County line — withdrew its application following vocal community opposition to the project.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
His nearly four-decade rule was marked by staunch opposition to both countries as well as any efforts to reform or modernize Iran.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
Why does courage spark opposition?
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opposition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opposition
Noun
-
As political attacks on trans rights intensify, Calamia’s visibility as both athlete and activist represents an act of resistance and hope.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Panahi’s main talking point for the rest of the interview was that everyday resistance is no big whoop.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The moral objections to looksmaxxing are numerous, severe, and obvious.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Tillis went to the Senate floor shortly afterward and passed a resolution, with no objections, to place the plaque on the Senate side.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The source of the solar activity is a negative polarity coronal hole high-speed stream -- a fast-moving stream of solar wind that escaped the sun's atmosphere -- according to NOAA.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Practically a textbook polarity zone.—
Jay Woods,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That divergence has created what appears to be a rare valuation disconnect.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Her features are strange and unexpected—and all the more compelling for their divergence from the usual tidy symmetries.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Opposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opposition. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
