oppose

verb

op·​pose ə-ˈpōz How to pronounce oppose (audio)
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 abstractionL. E. Lynch
2
: to place opposite or against something
oppose the enemy
oppose a congressional bill
3
: to offer resistance to
opposer noun
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
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.
Networks of Opposition Groups opposed to the mRNA technology have built a vast and well-funded legal, marketing, and social media network. Stephanie Armour | Kff Health News, ABC News, 8 Mar. 2025 Tolbert and Hollins discuss the tendencies opposing pitchers might have toward baserunners, but what Tolbert can do doesn’t end with steals. Dylan Pescatore, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025 That alignment has been vigorously opposed by the Del Mar Fairgrounds, which recently decided to pause discussions with the city of Del Mar on a separate affordable housing project on fairgrounds property until the city opposes an alignment that includes fairgrounds property. Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025 The resistance against compulsory hijab has even drawn in men, who not only refuse to align with the government’s policies but also oppose the repression of women protesters. Narges Mohammadi, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oppose

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of oppose was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oppose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppose. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

oppose

verb
op·​pose ə-ˈpōz How to pronounce oppose (audio)
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 How to pronounce oppose (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on oppose

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