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 Shortly before the election that fall, Ratcliffe was asked in an interview on Fox News whether China opposed Trump. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024 Her team’s hands all fly into the air in celebration, while the opposing team’s players’ hands reach up too, theirs in frustration. Frankie De La Cretaz, SELF, 21 Oct. 2024 In 1967: Tens of thousands of people opposed to the Vietnam War marched on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., in one of the largest protests in U.S. history. Mark Jones, The Arizona Republic, 21 Oct. 2024 The use of such international price referencing for prescription drugs was staunchly opposed by many fellow Republicans. Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oppose 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oppose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near oppose

Cite this Entry

“Oppose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppose. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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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