opposing 1 of 2

Definition of opposingnext

opposing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of oppose

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 opposing
Adjective
Even the opposing team got in on the action. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026 If Young ever offers a provocative pregame quote that provides a soundbite for the opposing locker room, a roomful of reporters will collapse in surprise on the spot. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026 The vehicle reportedly had damage to its front and was facing the opposing way of travel. Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026 Forcing the opposing center away from the backboard creates space for our players to drive unimpeded to the basket. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026 The problem was that the opposing kicker — the Raiders’ Daniel Carlson — answered with a 60-yard field goal. Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026 The opposing camps are separated by police barricades. Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026 Attendance was either ridiculously low or games were taken over by the opposing team. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026 Being able to sustain long drives and punish an opposing defense will be a key. Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
The New York City Police Department maintained a safety perimeter around the protest to ensure no chaos sparked between the opposing protesters. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026 The footage released by CCTV depicted two opposing forces in the exercise. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026 Far from the passive, read-and-react front deployed in 2023, Joseph has engineered an unprecedented assault on opposing quarterbacks, racking up 131 sacks and 306 quarterback hits in the past two regular seasons. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026 In this case, the influence of four planets in Capricorn, opposing Jupiter retrograde in Cancer, creates a tug-of-war between ambition (Capricorn) and emotion (Cancer), amplifying pressure, urgency and the feeling that something’s got to give. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026 Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of aiding a Yemeni separatist, ramping up tensions between the Gulf powers, which are on opposing sides of multiple conflicts. Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026 Long a dual-threat, Hurts' 421 yards rushing were his lowest total since his 2020 rookie season and opposing defenses seemed to have solved the tush push. CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026 In the videos, opposing factions demonstrating across the country rallied around chants in support of and opposition to the Iranian government. Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026 Wylde points out that some business leaders had other reasons for opposing him. NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opposing
Adjective
  • Playing opposite fellow starting cornerback Carlton Davis, Gonzalez allowed 35 catches on 80 targets for 357 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions this season, including Sunday’s wild-card round win over the Chargers.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The pickup truck had crossed over into the opposite direction of traffic, officers say.
    Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • According to the department, Sutton currently faces three counts of resisting an officer, two counts of public intimidation, two counts of battery of a police officer, one count of disturbing the peace and one count of criminal trespassing.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Of the many types of basil, the classic Italian 'Treviso' variety stands out for resisting bitterness, staying tender longer, and being slow to flower even as summer heats up.
    Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Impressively, Newcastle have reached mid-January still fighting — and, in a roundabout way, even (arguably) thriving — on all four fronts, albeit in a non-linear and rarely convincing fashion.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Candid figure on war, civil rights and religion Beyond the boxing ring, Ali was outspoken about his beliefs when many Black Americans were still fighting to be heard.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Indeed, their body language and working relationship belies nothing of the boorish, antagonistic dynamic between Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose enmity risked lives (as when Cuomo held up a mass Covid vaccine site in New York due to his beef with de Blasio).
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Advertisement An alternative to flattery AI proposed by researchers from Harvard and the University of Montreal is antagonistic AI.
    Arianna Huffington, Time, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The 49ers have had an effective formula for combating their never-ending injuries.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Danes feel proud of Ørsted, which has succeeded financially while combatting climate change, a national priority.
    Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Fosse, yet another complicated and contradictory man.
    Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Limits on alcohol have been a subject of fierce debate, with two major reports issued at the end of the Biden administration offering contradictory advice.
    Aria Bendix, NBC news, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • London saw its lowest murder rate on record last year, countering a right-wing narrative that the city is dangerous.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Wind farms can interfere with radar-detection systems, but the wind industry has developed effective methods for countering that interference.
    Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In one sketch, a husband and wife decide to get a divorce due to irreconcilable political differences.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
  • These vivid scenes paint a picture of seemingly irreconcilable division.
    Justin Angle, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Opposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opposing. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on opposing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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