oppose

verb

op·​pose ə-ˈpōz 

opposed; opposing

transitive verb

1

: to place over against something so as to provide resistance, counterbalance, or contrast

one military force opposed to another

concreteness as opposed to abstraction

—L. E. Lynch

2

: to place opposite or against something

oppose the enemy

oppose a congressional bill

3

: to offer resistance to

opposer noun

Synonyms

• buck
• defy
• fight
• repel
• resist
• withstand

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of oppose in a Sentence

The governor opposes the death penalty.

The change is opposed by many of the town's business leaders.

The group opposes the mayor and is trying to find a candidate to run against her.

You've opposed every suggestion I've made.

He met the man who will oppose him in the next election.

These two teams opposed each other in last year's playoffs.

We're hoping we can get more senators to oppose the legislation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Oceanside City Council voted 4-1 Wednesday for the changes, with Councilmember Eric Joyce opposed. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024

Biden and his allies also remain wary of Kennedy, who once considered opposing the president in the Democratic primaries. —USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024

Major oil- and plastics-producing countries such as Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia oppose the concept, and also have been accused of stalling the talks through procedural measures. —Evan Simon, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2024

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said Kansans would remember the votes of Republicans opposed to expansion. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024

Protesters gathered near Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Brooklyn home yesterday, opposed to U.S. military assistance to Israel in the war in Gaza, which has killed thousands of civilians. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 26 Apr. 2024

The measure passed Thursday on a 3-2 vote split along party lines, with Democratic commissioners in favor and Republicans opposed. —David Hamilton, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024

Read more: Pro-Palestinian protests grow at California campuses as opposing demonstrators clash at UCLA. —Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024

The Keller school board voted unanimously Thursday to approve the purchase of land next to Basswood Elementary School to derail a motel project opposed by parents. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English opposen "to question, examine, accuse" (as past participle opposed "opposite, contrary"), borrowed from Anglo-French opposer "to counter, argue in opposition, question, interrogate," re-formation, with poser "to place, pose entry 1," of Latin oppōnere (perfect opposuī, past participle oppositus) "to place (over or against), place as an obstacle, set in opposition to, argue in reply," from ob- ob- + pōnere "to place, set" — more at position entry 1

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

oppose

verb

op·​pose ə-ˈpōz 

opposed; opposing

1

: to be or place opposite or against something

2

: to offer resistance to : stand against : resist

Medical Definition

oppose

transitive verb

op·​pose ə-ˈpōz 

opposed; opposing

: to place the ball of (a first digit) against the corresponding part of a second digit of the same hand or foot

some monkeys oppose the big toe