Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

oppose

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of oppose

1 to refuse to give in to

  • I will continue to oppose any attempts to infringe upon our civil liberties
Synonyms of oppose

buck, defy, fight, repel, resist, withstand
Words Related to oppose

battle, combat, contend (with)

challenge, contest, contradict, dispute

baffle, balk, foil, frustrate, thwart

check, counter, hinder, obstruct, stem
Antonyms of oppose

bow (to), capitulate (to), give in (to), knuckle under (to), stoop (to), submit (to), succumb (to), surrender (to), yield (to)

2 to strive to reduce or eliminate

  • we must oppose ignorance and prejudice wherever and whenever they arise
Synonyms of oppose

battle, combat, contend (with), counter, fight, oppugn
Words Related to oppose

baffle, checkmate, foil, frustrate, resist, thwart, withstand

confront, defy, face, meet
Near Antonyms of oppose

abide, bear, endure, suffer

advocate, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), support, uphold
Antonyms of oppose

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote

Synonym Discussion of oppose

oppose, combat, resist, withstand mean to set oneself against someone or something. oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare.
    • opposed the plan
combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something.
    • combat disease
resist implies an overt recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive effort to counteract or repel it.
    • resisting temptation
withstand suggests a more passive resistance.
    • trying to withstand peer pressure

Learn More about oppose

  1. See words that rhyme with oppose Dictionary: Definition of oppose Medical Dictionary: Definition of oppose Spanish Central: Translation of oppose Nglish: Translation of oppose for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of oppose for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up oppose? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

tchotchke

a knickknack or trinket

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. nebulous Lip reading, Brexit, and semantic uncertainty

  2. synergy Mueller files Cohen details.

  3. slumgullion From the broadcast of 'It Happened on Fifth Avenue'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games