OPPOSITE Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'opposite' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of opposite are antithetical , contradictory , and contrary . While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict. // opposite views on foreign aid

Q: When is it sensible to use 'antithetical' instead of 'opposite'?

While the synonyms antithetical and opposite are close in meaning, antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition. // a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

Q: Where would 'contradictory' be a reasonable alternative to 'opposite'?

The words contradictory and opposite can be used in similar contexts, but contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid. // made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

Q: When is 'contrary' a more appropriate choice than 'opposite'?

The meanings of contrary and opposite largely overlap; however, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition. // contrary assessments of the war situation

opposite 1 of 2

adjective

ˈä-pə-zət

Definition of opposite next

as in contradictory

being as different as possible those two are fundamentally opposite—she being loquacious and outgoing where he is quiet and reserved

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

opposite

2 of 2

noun

as in contrary

something that is as different as possible from something else no matter what I say, you insist on the opposite

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective opposite differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of opposite are antithetical, contradictory, and contrary. While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict.

opposite views on foreign aid

When is it sensible to use antithetical instead of opposite?

While the synonyms antithetical and opposite are close in meaning, antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.

a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

Where would contradictory be a reasonable alternative to opposite?

The words contradictory and opposite can be used in similar contexts, but contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid.

made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

When is contrary a more appropriate choice than opposite?

The meanings of contrary and opposite largely overlap; however, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.

contrary assessments of the war situation

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of opposite

Adjective

Repeat 10 times, then perform on the opposite side. —

Laura Campedelli, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2025 The narrative follows twins separated at birth who grow up on opposite sides of the tracks before meeting again with fatal results. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025

Noun

One survey of some 500 California wildfire evacuees conducted in 2017 and 2018 found that some longtime residents who have experienced lots of previous wildfire incidents are less likely to evacuate—but others did exactly the opposite. —

Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025 The result was that Kansas City streets were in far better shape sooner than in many neighboring communities, reversing a generations-long trend of the opposite. —

Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for opposite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for opposite

Adjective

To her, people’s contradictory reactions were an outcome of their disengagement.

Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
Watching Spence on Wednesday night, helping guide Spurs to only their second clean sheet in 12 games – against Liverpool, European football’s form team – was to have two contradictory thoughts.

Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025