the opposition
noun
: a person or group that someone is trying to defeat or succeed against : a person or group that someone is competing with
The coach advised her team not to underestimate the opposition.
Examples of the opposition in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The March 14 government funding deadline is becoming a crucial test of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) toughness in the opposition.
—
Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
Council members approved the hospital’s rezoning request over the opposition of some of Cook Children’s neighbors, who wanted more information about the health network’s plans before the request was approved, the Fort Worth Report reported.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2025
Her recent arrival comes at a delicate time in Australia, months before a national election that could put the opposition Liberal Party in power, along with its promises to build seven nuclear power stations – upending the current Labor government’s plan to rely on renewable energy and gas.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
Senator Brian Schatz, of Hawaii, talks to Isaac Chotiner about what the opposition party must do to resist Presidential overreach.
—Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the opposition 
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.
Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
Council members approved the hospital’s rezoning request over the opposition of some of Cook Children’s neighbors, who wanted more information about the health network’s plans before the request was approved, the Fort Worth Report reported.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2025
Her recent arrival comes at a delicate time in Australia, months before a national election that could put the opposition Liberal Party in power, along with its promises to build seven nuclear power stations – upending the current Labor government’s plan to rely on renewable energy and gas.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
Senator Brian Schatz, of Hawaii, talks to Isaac Chotiner about what the opposition party must do to resist Presidential overreach.
—Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the opposition
Dictionary Entries Near the opposition
Cite this Entry
“The opposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20opposition. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share