as opposed to

idiom

used to refer to something that is different from what has just been mentioned
The car gets 30 miles per gallon, as opposed to last year's model, which got only 25.
They use fresh fish, as opposed to fish that has been frozen.
I'd say she is a good player, as opposed to a great one.

Examples of as opposed to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
These devices are more precise and subtle than old fashioned metal detectors, using specific sensitivity settings and artificial intelligence to detect hidden weapons as opposed to harmless items such as keys and phones, allowing people to enter facilities with very little delay. Chris Boyette, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025 The software tracked the amount of light coming into the system, and indeed, putting the laptop up against the window, as opposed to under the conference-room lights, would increase the power draw rate. Matthew Buzzi, PCMAG, 2 Mar. 2025 Other key ingredients like glycerin attract and pull water into the skin to keep it hydrated (as opposed to flaky or scaly). Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 28 Feb. 2025 But touchbacks were still pretty prevalent as teams chose to boot the ball into the end zone and allow their opponents to start at the 30-yard line — as opposed to the 25, where touchbacks previously were spotted. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for as opposed to

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“As opposed to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/as%20opposed%20to. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on as opposed to

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!