ə-ˈgen(t)st 
-ˈgin(t)st,
-ˈgān(t)st
1
a
: in opposition or hostility to
spoke against his enemies
Together they waged a perfunctory battle against the outrageous behavior of that place …—
Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison
b
: not in conformity with : contrary to
against the law
c
: in competition with
racing against each other
d
: as a basis for disapproval of
had nothing against him
2
a
: directly opposite : facing
… she sat down just over against me …—Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe
b
obsolete
: exposed to
3
: compared or contrasted with
profits are up against last year
4
a
: in preparation or provision for
saving against an uncertain future
b
: as a defense or protection from
a shelter against the cold
5
a
: in the direction of and into contact with
knocked against the ropes
b
: in contact with
leaning against the wall
6
: in a direction opposite to the motion or course of : counter to
sail against the wind
7
a
: as a counterbalance to
weighing risk against profit
b
: in exchange for
a lower rate against the dollar
c
: as a charge on
charged against her account
8
: before the background of
viewed against the sky
archaic
: in preparation for the time when
… throw on another log of wood against father comes home.—Charles Dickens
Charles DickensExamples of against in a Sentence
Preposition
We must continue the struggle for justice and against injustice.
She voted against the proposal.
He spoke against appeasing the enemy.
Some people were for the proposal but others were against it.
There's a law against doing that.
two runners racing against each other
Touching the ball with your hands is against the rules.
Recent Examples on the Web
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office dropped the charges against Sutherland in July 2009 after conducting a full investigation, according to CNN.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
That is a direct threat against the people of this state, who dared to vote against him three times, and who continue to stand up for freedom with courage and empathy and profound grace.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026
It is built on the principle that an attack on any one member must be considered an attack on them all, which is what makes US threats against Greenland – which is part of NATO by its association with Denmark – so extraordinary.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for against
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Preposition
Attorneys and advocates have repeatedly criticized the conditions in ICE’s detention center in Aurora and have protested against plans to open more facilities in parts of rural Colorado.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office dropped the charges against Sutherland in July 2009 after conducting a full investigation, according to CNN.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
That is a direct threat against the people of this state, who dared to vote against him three times, and who continue to stand up for freedom with courage and empathy and profound grace.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026
It is built on the principle that an attack on any one member must be considered an attack on them all, which is what makes US threats against Greenland – which is part of NATO by its association with Denmark – so extraordinary.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for against
Cite this Entry
“Against.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/against. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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