Synonyms of opposite

opposite 1 of 2

adjective

ˈä-pə-zət 

as in contradictory

being as different as possible

those two are fundamentally opposite—she being loquacious and outgoing where he is quiet and reserved

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contradictory
• contrary
• antithetical
• unfavorable
• diametrical
• polar
• diametric
• negative
• antipodal
• hostile
• adverse
• antagonistic
• counter
• divergent
• unlike
• antipodean
• reverse
• cross
• dissimilar
• inverse
• antipathetic
• obverse
• alien
• disparate
• converse
• unalike

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• similar
• same
• like
• analogous
• identical
• noncontradictory
• equivalent
• alike
• synonymous

opposite

2 of 2

noun

as in contrary

something that is as different as possible from something else

no matter what I say, you insist on the opposite

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contrary
• reverse
• obverse
• antithesis
• negative
• counter
• converse
• antipode
• negation
• inverse
• counterpoint
• antonym
• mirror image

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• synonym
• counterpart
• analog
• analogue
• duplicate
• copy
• replica
• carbon copy

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective opposite differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of opposite are antithetical, contradictory, and contrary. While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict.

opposite views on foreign aid

When is it sensible to use antithetical instead of opposite?

While the synonyms antithetical and opposite are close in meaning, antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.

a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

Where would contradictory be a reasonable alternative to opposite?

The words contradictory and opposite can be used in similar contexts, but contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid.

made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

When is contrary a more appropriate choice than opposite?

The meanings of contrary and opposite largely overlap; however, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.

contrary assessments of the war situation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of opposite

Adjective

But when Crow-Armstrong comes through for the team, the energy is both equal and opposite. —Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025

Treating money as your identity or a social scorecard also leads to regret, while using it as a tool to create freedom has the opposite effect. —Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025

Noun

Swift wants to sound unbothered, even though every lyric suggests the opposite. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025

Egbuka was billed as the opposite coming into the league. —Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025