opposite

1 of 4

adjective

op·​po·​site ˈä-pə-zət 

ˈäp-sət

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

5

: 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

opposite

2 of 4

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

opposite

3 of 4

adverb

: on or to an opposite side

opposite

4 of 4

preposition

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

Adjective

• antipodal
• antipodean
• antithetical
• contradictory
• contrary
• diametric
• diametrical
• polar

Noun

• antipode
• antithesis
• contrary
• counter
• negative
• obverse
• reverse

Choose the Right Synonym for opposite

opposite, contradictory, contrary, antithetical 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

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

contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.

contrary assessments of the war situation

antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.

a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

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 Web

Adjective

Bettany of course starred opposite MCU leading lady Elizabeth Olsen in WandaVision, Disney+’s flagship Marvel series that introduced viewers to Agatha (played by a scene-stealing Kathryn Hahn). —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 26 Oct. 2024

The Saturday read: Americans are divided on whether American culture and way of life since the 1950s has changed for the better, with Republicans and Democrats holding opposite views. —David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024

Noun

Combat is the polar opposite of the famed Baldur’s Gate 3, which will be an unfortunate comparison point for Veilguard as no, of course the overall game is nowhere close to that good. —Paul Tassi, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

On average, nations that transitioned from autocracy to democracy saw near-immediate improvements—within a decade, life expectancy increased by more than two years—and those which slid from democracy to autocracy experienced the opposite. —Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024

Adverb

Nominated for an Oscar for her work opposite Will Smith in sports drama King Richard, Ellis-Taylor will next be seen starring in RaMell Ross’s drama Nickel Boys, based on the novel by Colson Whitehead, which Amazon MGM releases in December. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2024

Dual sinks sit opposite one another, fronting a double shower with bench seating. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2024

Preposition

She will next be seen starring in Andrew Ahn’s remake of The Wedding Banquet, opposite Bowen Yang. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2024

Keaton, who starred opposite Garr in the big-screen comedy Mr. Mom in 1983, was one of the first to weigh in after word of her death from multiple sclerosis on Tuesday. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin oppositus, from past participle of oppōnere "to place (over or against), place as an obstacle, set in opposition to, argue in reply" — more at oppose

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin oppositus, noun derivative from past participle of oppōnere "to place (over or against), place as an obstacle, set in opposition to, argue in reply" — more at oppose

Adverb

derivative of opposite entry 1

Preposition

derivative of opposite entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1609, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

circa 1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing opposite

• diametrically opposite
• exact opposite
• opposite number
• opposite/other extreme
• opposite sex
• the opposite sex
• the other/opposite/flip side of the coin

Kids 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 noun

1

: 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