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

Those opposed to these ideas say that young people really didn't vote for Trump because of these innovations. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

The other side: Democratic leadership opposed the bill but did not formally whip against it, according to a notice sent out by House Minority Whip Katherine Clark's (D-Mass.) office. —Andrew Solender, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025

Who opposes capturing a lost asset and winning new markets? —Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

The foundation opposes the town council’s decision to allow 10 of the mansion’s 58 bedrooms to be used as guest quarters. —Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025

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

15th century, 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