1
a
: set over against something that is at the other end or side of an intervening (see intervene sense 4) line or space
opposite interior angles
opposite ends of a diameter
b
: situated in pairs on an axis (see axis sense 3) with each member being separated from the other by half the circumference (see circumference sense 2) of the axis
opposite leaves
compare alternate
2
a
: occupying an opposing and often antagonistic position
opposite sides of the question
b
: diametrically different (as in nature or character)
opposite meanings
3
: contrary to one another or to a thing specified : reverse
gave them opposite directions
4
: being the other of a pair that are corresponding (see corresponding sense 1a) or complementary (see complementary sense 2) in position, function, or nature
In the final position, the two exchanged rooks and left bishops of opposite color, a position that often leads to a draw …—
The Chicago Sun Times
see also opposite sex
The Chicago Sun Times5
: of, relating to, or being the side of a baseball field that is near the first base line for a right-handed batter and near the third base line for a left-handed batter
oppositely
adverb
oppositeness
noun
1
: something that is opposed to some other often specified thing
2
: antonym
3
: additive inverse
especially
: the additive inverse of a real number
: on or to an opposite side
1
: across from and usually facing or on the same level with
sat opposite each other
2
: in a role complementary to
played opposite the leading man in the comedy
Synonyms
Examples of opposite in a Sentence
Adjective
The two boys lived on opposite sides of the street.
the opposite bank of the river
Fold the bottom right corner of the paper over to the opposite corner.
The two scientists had the same information but reached opposite conclusions.
They represent opposite sides of the issue.
They ran in opposite directions.
Noun
“Wet” is the opposite of “dry.”
The terms “black” and “white” are opposites.
Adverb
I sat down and he sat opposite.
Preposition
She lives in the house opposite ours.
The school is opposite a park.
I played opposite the best player in the league.
She stars opposite Clint Eastwood in her latest movie.
Recent Examples on the WebSarah Han, Allure, 15 Oct. 2024
But the coaching styles, more than anything, are on opposite sides of the spectrum.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
Ty Roush, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Making an environment that is completely reflective of your own point of view and personality is kind of the opposite of good taste.
—Rachel Wallace, Architectural Digest, 11 Oct. 2024
Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Sep. 2024
Try This: Perspective Rotation On each project, assign team members to argue from a perspective opposite to their natural inclination.
—Kristina Madden, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2024
The pair starred opposite one another on One Tree Hill from its 2003 premiere all the way until Burton exited the series at the end of season 6 in 2008.
—EW.com, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opposite 
Adjective
Basically, complementary colors—or colors that are on opposite sides of the color wheel—neutralize each other.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 15 Oct. 2024
But the coaching styles, more than anything, are on opposite sides of the spectrum.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
Noun
La Niña is a climate pattern marked by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific Ocean and is the opposite of El Niño, which brings warmer-than-average temperatures.
—Ty Roush, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Making an environment that is completely reflective of your own point of view and personality is kind of the opposite of good taste.
—Rachel Wallace, Architectural Digest, 11 Oct. 2024
Adverb
Cryer starred opposite Charlie Sheen on the long-running sitcom Two and a Half Men, which was co-created and executive produced by Lorre.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Sep. 2024
Try This: Perspective Rotation On each project, assign team members to argue from a perspective opposite to their natural inclination.
—Kristina Madden, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
Preposition
He will next be seen starring opposite Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick in Amazon’s A SIMPLE FAVOR 2, directed by Paul Feig, and currently stars opposite Megan Fox in Millenium Media’s SUBSERIENCE.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2024
The pair starred opposite one another on One Tree Hill from its 2003 premiere all the way until Burton exited the series at the end of season 6 in 2008.
—EW.com, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opposite
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opposite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near opposite
Cite this Entry
“Opposite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opposite. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opposite
1 of 4 adjective
op·po·site
ˈäp-ə-zət 
ˈäp-sət
1
a
: being at the other end, side, or corner
lived on opposite sides of the street
the opposite sides of a rectangle
b
: being one of two angles of a four-sided figure (as a square or parallelogram) that are not next to each other
2
a
: being in a position to oppose or cancel out
opposite sides of the question
b
: as different as possible : contrary
reached opposite conclusions
went off in opposite directions
3
: being the other of a matching or contrasting pair
the opposite sex
oppositely
adverb
oppositeness
noun
opposite
2 of 4 noun1
: someone or something that is opposite
2
: antonym
3
: additive inverse
especially
: the additive inverse of a real number
+3 and −3 are opposites
opposite
3 of 4 adverb
: on or to the opposite side
opposite
4 of 4 preposition
: across from and usually facing or on the same level with
the house opposite ours
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