oppositionop‧po‧si‧tion /ˌɒpəˈzɪʃən $ ˌɑːp-/ ●●○ W3 noun 
There was a great deal of opposition to the war.opposition from They face opposition from local residents as well as from environmentalists. He is confident in his ability to overcome all opposition with his personal charm. The proposals have aroused the opposition of teachers. Strong opposition resulted in rejection of the bill. Plans to turn the site into a £600 million leisure complex have met with stiff opposition. Much public opposition to the new law remained. Workers found themselves in opposition to local interests.2the opposition in some countries such as Britain, the main political party in Parliament that is not part of the government: the leader of the Opposition the three main opposition parties3in opposition in some countries such as Britain, a political party that is in opposition is in Parliament, but is not part of the government: The Socialists were elected to power after ten years in opposition.4[countable, uncountable] the people who you are competing against: They played well against good opposition.GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?• In this meaning, opposition is usually followed by a singular verb: · The opposition was too strong for us.• In British English, you can also use a plural verb: · The opposition were too strong for us.Grammar guide ‒ NOUNS5[countable, uncountable] formal when two things are completely oppositeopposition between the opposition between capitalism and socialismCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesstrong opposition (=disagreement that someone feels strongly)· The scheme has met with strong opposition from local people.fierce/intense/stiff opposition (=strong opposition)· It is certain that there will be fierce opposition to the changes.violent/vehement opposition (=showing extremely strong angry feelings)· The 2,000-strong congress met the violent opposition of left-wingers.· There has been vehement opposition from the fishing industry.considerable opposition (=quite a lot of opposition)· The development went ahead in spite of considerable opposition.growing/mounting opposition (=opposition that is increasing)· There was growing opposition to the war.local opposition· It took three years to overcome local opposition from environmentalists.widespread opposition (=opposition from many people or in many places)· Journalists have reported widespread opposition to the regime.public opposition· Public opposition has blocked the building of nuclear power stations.organized opposition (=protest that people express by working together in an organized way)· The proposal was passed with no organized opposition.verbsface opposition (=experience opposition that has to be dealt with)· The proposal faced opposition from road safety campaigners.meet (with) opposition/run into opposition (=face opposition)· A new tax would meet a lot of opposition.· The Bill ran into opposition in the House of Lords.encounter opposition (=find that there is opposition)· The police encountered little opposition, and restored order within the hour.express (your) opposition· Parents expressed their opposition to the tests.overcome opposition (=deal with opposition so that it no longer exists)· Nothing he said could overcome their opposition.arouse opposition/arouse the opposition of somebody (=make someone feel disagreement)· A plan to build on farm land aroused local opposition.opposition comes from somebody· The strongest opposition came from Republican voters.THESAURUSopposition noun [uncountable] strong disagreement with or protest against something: · Opposition to the proposed scheme was widespread.· The plan met with stiff opposition (=strong opposition).objection noun [countable] a reason you give for opposing an idea or plan: · My main objection is that it will cost too much money.· A number of objections were raised.antagonism noun [uncountable] a strong feeling of opposition to something, or dislike for someone, which is shown in your behaviour, and has often existed for a long time: · his own antagonism to any form of authority· There is no antagonism towards tourists on the island.· people’s antagonism to communismhostility noun [uncountable] angry remarks or behaviour that show someone opposes something very strongly, or dislikes someone very much: · The announcement was greeted with hostility from some employees.· There is a certain amount of hostility towards the police among local people.antipathy noun [uncountable] formal a strong feeling of opposition and dislike for someone or something: · his fundamental antipathy to capitalism· Her long-standing antipathy to Herr Kohl was well-known.· Darwin shared Lyell's antipathy to the idea that the same species could appear independently in different areas.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Opposition to the war grew rapidly.
- Despite strong opposition, the law was passed.
- In the last 17 games, the Red Wings have outscored the opposition 36-8.
- Plans for the new stadium will no doubt face a lot of opposition.
- Seles had reached the semi-finals without really facing any serious opposition.
- The opposition fought hard, but had no chance of winning.
- The team won all their games against local opposition, but lost in the international competition.
- Thousands of people plan to gather on Sunday to express their opposition to the government's handling of the crisis.
- Widespread opposition to the military government led to violence in the streets.
- All but the extreme nationalist opposition is portrayed as traitorous.
- Anwar became a symbol for the opposition movement, and his wife, Wan Aziza Ismail, formed Keadilan.
- But he deludes himself in thinking this reflects support for himself when, in fact, it reflects discomfort with the opposition.
- Finding ways of soothing political opposition to the dumping of highly radioactive waste could prove more difficult than solving the scientific problems.
- In practice the opposition was the beneficiary of the parity reform.
- The modern militant opposition forces who claim power in the name of the sacred are only replaying that scenario.
- The Senate votes of confidence were boycotted by the opposition on the grounds that the legislative role of parliament was being restricted.
- The strongest opposition is likely to come from supporters of nuclear power, which was cut sharply in the Clinton budget.
THESAURUS
noun [uncountable] strong disagreement with or protest against something: · Opposition to the proposed scheme was widespread.· The plan met with stiff opposition (=strong opposition).
noun [countable] a reason you give for opposing an idea or plan: · My main objection is that it will cost too much money.· A number of objections were raised.
noun [uncountable] a strong feeling of opposition to something, or dislike for someone, which is shown in your behaviour, and has often existed for a long time: · his own antagonism to any form of authority· There is no antagonism towards tourists on the island.· people’s antagonism to communism
noun [uncountable] angry remarks or behaviour that show someone opposes something very strongly, or dislikes someone very much: · The announcement was greeted with hostility from some employees.· There is a certain amount of hostility towards the police among local people.
noun [uncountable] formal a strong feeling of opposition and dislike for someone or something: · his fundamental antipathy to capitalism· Her long-standing antipathy to Herr Kohl was well-known.· Darwin shared Lyell's antipathy to the idea that the same species could appear independently in different areas.
Longman Language Activatorwords or behaviour that show that you oppose something something that you say because you oppose one particular detail of a plan, course of action etc: have an objection: · If anyone has any objections, please let us know as soon as possible.raise an objection (=state an objection): · When I told him about my plans, my father raised one objection after another.have no objection: · If you have no objection, I would like to use your name as a reference when I start applying for jobs.
things that people say or do in order to show that they are against something: · Widespread opposition to the military government led to violence in the streets.opposition to: · Opposition to the war grew rapidly.face opposition: · Plans for the new stadium will no doubt face a lot of opposition.express opposition: · Thousands of people plan to gather on Sunday to express their opposition to the government's handling of the crisis.strong opposition: · Despite strong opposition, the law was passed.
angry remarks or behaviour that shows someone opposes a plan or idea very strongly: · The announcement was greeted with hostility from some employees.hostility to/towards: · Recently there has been hostility towards the Prime Minister from members of his own party.open hostility (=obvious or public hostility): · Given his open hostility, it seemed pointless to try and continue to persuade him.
angry and unpleasant feelings or behaviour that show someone dislikes or disagrees very strongly with a person, organization, plan, or idea: antagonism to/towards: · Hines made no effort to conceal his antagonism towards his supervisor.antagonism between: · Mitchell sees no clear way to end the antagonism between the two groups.
a person or group that opposes something a person or group that opposes something: opponent of: · In some countries, any opponent of the government is likely to lose their job.· One notable opponent of the proposal was the mayor.
a group that is opposing another group, especially the political party or parties whose elected representatives oppose the official government: · Opinion polls showed the opposition pulling ahead in some areas.· Newspapers must reflect the views of the opposition as well as those of the government.
a person or group that opposes something very strongly and tries to stop it or destroy it - used especially when you disapprove of this person or group: enemy of: · the enemies of democracy· an enemy of the Jewish people
a person or group of people you play against someone you play against in a game or competition: · My opponent was the same age and height as myself.· Karpov defeated his 24-year-old opponent in 57 moves.· Manchester United will prove a formidable opponent this season.
the person or team that you are playing against: · The team won all their games against local opposition, but lost in the international competition.· The opposition fought hard, but had no chance of winning.· Seles had reached the semi-finals without really facing any serious opposition.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives The library was closed down despite determined opposition. The government has encountered strong opposition to its plans to raise income tax. The government’s policies came under fierce attack. The government faces implacable opposition on the issue of nuclear waste. His comments have met with widespread opposition. He took a principled stand against the legislation. Graduates face stiff competition in getting jobs. Despite vehement opposition, the Act became law. They’ll do anything to whip up a bit of interest in a book.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
(=disagreement that someone feels strongly)· The scheme has met with strong opposition from local people.
(=strong opposition)· It is certain that there will be fierce opposition to the changes.
(=showing extremely strong angry feelings)· The 2,000-strong congress met the violent opposition of left-wingers.· There has been vehement opposition from the fishing industry.
(=quite a lot of opposition)· The development went ahead in spite of considerable opposition.
(=opposition that is increasing)· There was growing opposition to the war.
· It took three years to overcome local opposition from environmentalists.
(=opposition from many people or in many places)· Journalists have reported widespread opposition to the regime.
· Public opposition has blocked the building of nuclear power stations.
(=protest that people express by working together in an organized way)· The proposal was passed with no organized opposition.
verbs (=experience opposition that has to be dealt with)· The proposal faced opposition from road safety campaigners.
(=face opposition)· A new tax would meet a lot of opposition.· The Bill ran into opposition in the House of Lords.
(=find that there is opposition)· The police encountered little opposition, and restored order within the hour.
· Parents expressed their opposition to the tests.
(=deal with opposition so that it no longer exists)· Nothing he said could overcome their opposition.
(=make someone feel disagreement)· A plan to build on farm land aroused local opposition.
· The strongest opposition came from Republican voters.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· The new tax aroused bitter opposition.
(=forming an opposition party to the government)· The opposition coalition's strength increased from 37 to 53 seats.
The library was closed down despite determined opposition. The government has encountered strong opposition to its plans to raise income tax. (=say that you oppose someone or something)· Local people have expressed their opposition to plans for a new airport.
(=deal with strong disagreement)· The government faced opposition from the Liberal Democrats.
(=fans who support different teams competing against each other)· There were fights between rival fans outside the stadium.
The government’s policies came under fierce attack. The government faces implacable opposition on the issue of nuclear waste.· Locals have voiced intense opposition to plans to expand the airport.
· The opposition leader accused the government of not being able to control unemployment.
His comments have met with widespread opposition. (=a party that is not in power)· The tax increase was criticized by opposition parties.
(=belonging to the party that is not in power – used in some political systems)· Opposition politicians argued that there was not enough reason to go to war.
He took a principled stand against the legislation.· The government's proposals provoked widespread backbench opposition.
Graduates face stiff competition in getting jobs.· There had been strong opposition to the scheme from the national park authority.
Despite vehement opposition, the Act became law. They’ll do anything to whip up a bit of interest in a book.· There is the fierce opposition voiced by Col.· The levy, which began on January 1, has met with fierce opposition from the trade unions.· There was also fierce local opposition in June to plans to build the world's largest nuclear waste facility near Krasnoyarsk.· Initial reports that the bond was to be fixed at £10,000 stirred fierce opposition to the scheme.· Yet live Monday games attracted fierce opposition from many Football League managers.· Expansion of either now faces fierce opposition from environmentalists.· The Christians faced fierce persecution and opposition, especially from a more numerous religious group known as the Gnostics.
· But local opposition groups still protest against the appropriation of their localities through this usage by political and commercial forces.· Despite all these safeguards and its lopsided superiority over local opposition, the Machine never fails to run scared.· It's aroused a little local opposition.· Other trials have been abandoned in the face of local opposition.· There was also fierce local opposition in June to plans to build the world's largest nuclear waste facility near Krasnoyarsk.· William Denny recommended that the local opposition should be bought out at the huge cost of £720,000.· It aroused much local opposition but the directives came into force, technically at least, from I January this year.· Unlike Heathrow or Amsterdam Schiphol, there is no strong local opposition to more flights.
· The main opposition parties had boycotted the elections.· The next day the main opposition parties joined in the calls for Ershad's arrest and students threatened to storm his home.· Called by the five main opposition parties and by trade unions, the protest took place with government consent.
· The political opposition, on the other hand, is not convinced.· I failed then to sense the depth of local, commercial and political opposition.· Finding ways of soothing political opposition to the dumping of highly radioactive waste could prove more difficult than solving the scientific problems.· They have yet to learn the meaning and significance of constitutional political opposition.· Punk was at its zenith and political and cultural oppositions were intense.· The killings are part of a campaign of intimidation and elimination of supporters of the political opposition.· Kostunica wrote his doctoral thesis in 1976 attesting to the vital role played by political opposition groups in the West.· In certain states, broadcasters have been disciplined for reporting political opposition.
· However, there is intense public opposition both to incinerators and to moving the old shells and bombs around.· But public opposition has increased since last summer.· That cabinet came as a huge disappointment to the public and opposition, contributing much to the present unstable atmosphere.· He blamed the collapse of confidence on hysteria heaped upon the public by the opposition political parties.· And this brings me to my fourth point, and that is the notion of domestic - public opposition.· There has been little public opposition to the program.· Of all the possibilities of interventive reproduction, none has been the subject of more public opposition than surrogacy.· The tax was scrapped the following year because of public opposition and implementation problems.
· He is called upon both to defend his faith against stiff opposition and to spread it among his friends.· But that idea has run into stiff opposition.· Union leaders warned that the group's attempt to cut jobs could face stiff opposition.· It is likely to face stiff opposition from trade unions, including the teachers' union, if it does so.
· Mr Major has repeatedly made clear his strong opposition changing the voting system.· But there is strong opposition to that spot: Critics say it would destroy the vista.· The strongest opposition is likely to come from supporters of nuclear power, which was cut sharply in the Clinton budget.· In each so-called cooperative the attention paid to social issues, work conditions, and community welfare was meeting strong opposition.· However, strong opposition resulted in rejection of this Bill despite his excellent testimony as an expert witness.· Among the spots on the battlefield where the attacking forces encountered strong opposition was a peach orchard on the Union left.· Any attempt by the mining company to undertake operations seems certain to run into strong opposition.· Both plans were dropped because of the strong opposition of mayors, congressmen, and urban lobbying groups.
NOUN· It carries an aura of respect and makes the main opposition candidate look even more of an outsider.· Probably only an opposition candidate who was himself a nationalist should have led the final resistance.· Among the successful opposition candidates was Hitoshi Motoshima, who was narrowly elected to a fourth term as mayor of Nagasaki.· The opposition candidate, Mr Dharam Vir, was charged yesterday with the murder of a Congress worker.· Even when an opposition candidate seemed to have won, it could be taken from him.· Last week, gunmen kidnapped opposition candidate Claudy Myrthil.· No opposition candidate won a seat.
· The opposition coalition criticized the tax-free zones as exploiting women textile workers and as creating dependence on foreign countries.· Leaders of the opposition coalition Zajedno, or Together, address the crowd.· Their failure also appeared to reduce the chance of creating an effective opposition coalition.· The newly formed opposition coalition insisted it was the majority and kept the original day and time.· Instead, the center-right opposition coalition that is leading the street demonstrations is demanding early elections.· An identical opposition coalition had backed the victorious Rengo-no-kai candidate in the Nara prefecture by-election on Feb. 9.· With the opposition coalition holding firmly together, more history-making is likely in the coming weeks.
· Fourteen women were gang raped in May 1990, when paramilitary soldiers raided five villages in Assam in search of armed opposition groups.· On Sept. 11 Kravchuk met leaders of opposition groups, when topics under discussion included a transitional government and a new constitution.· They also made it clear that the party fears that New Forum and other opposition groups could turn into mass movements.· The decision, however, was rejected by opposition groups.· Amnesty International opposes abuses by opposition groups - hostage taking, torture and killing of prisoners and other arbitrary killings.· It is not perhaps surprising that the source of substitution should have come from the traditional opposition group, the Bani Hashem.· Often they were targeted simply because they lived in zones of armed conflict between government forces and opposition groups.· Two opposition groups were formed in response to the constitutional changes.
· Mr Adamec had talks with the opposition leader, Mr Vaclav Havel, on the cabinet lineup.· When it went off track, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu pulled roughly even.· Then Tymoshenko and other opposition leaders disagreed over whether to enter into talks with Kuchma or organize a popular referendum against him.· They also sought to use their influence with Draskovic and other opposition leaders, cautioning them against agitating for further violence.· For their part, opposition leaders demanded that Mr Fujimori step down immediately in favour of a transition government.· In July Namaliu outmanoeuvred opposition leader Paias Wingti yet again in a vote of no confidence.· Rade Markovic is being questioned about a car crash in 1999 in which opposition leader Vuk Draskovic was injured.· The parallel figures for the opposition leader are 15 % and 60 %.
· Censorship was not legally defined so the opposition movement had to tread carefully.· The fundamentalist opposition movements that extol the veil are reactivating this age-old connection.· The majority of these women have remained unemployed and are now working for the opposition movement in a variety of ways.· Such a government should include members drawn from the existing parliament, the nonviolent opposition movement and rebel leader Kabila himself.· The opposition movement, Birlik, was banned from taking part, as it was not officially constituted as a political party.· In fact, the opposition movements, whatever cause they espouse, use them widely to push their propaganda.· The burgeoning opposition movement here has also extended itself to the army.· Anwar became a symbol for the opposition movement, and his wife, Wan Aziza Ismail, formed Keadilan.
· The four major opposition parties reportedly decided to boycott the Nov. 29 elections in protest at alleged unfair election conditions.· Every one of the quintet saw the opposition party gain strength during his final period in office.· The Liberal Democrats' success unleashed speculation about pacts, deals or at least closer co-operation between the two opposition parties.· By Christmas all three main opposition parties had dissolved themselves.· The nature of electoral conflict changed as the Labour party succeeded the Liberal as the main opposition party to the Conservatives.· The opposition parties will be invited to make individual contributions on that day, and to send a small number of delegates.· Talks between the government and opposition parties in the summer and autumn of 1989 led to improvements in the detention centres.
· He may be judged excessively optimistic, however, if not utterly desperate, in seeking the votes of leading opposition politicians.· S.-financed program helped opposition politician Rafael Angel Calderon Fournier win the presidency in 1990.· The action is the latest in a series of assaults on journalists, judges and opposition politicians.· Vilified by opposition politicians, Bryan lost to McKinley in 1896 and again in 1900.· He distracts attention with homophobic rants and attacks on opposition politicians and journalists.· An opposition politician, Chee Soon Juan, was jailed for 12 days in 1999 for speaking in public without a permit.· In recent weeks, many opposition politicians had campaigned for guarantees of future immunity from prosecution on charges of corruption.· Kececiler's statement was condemned by opposition politicians and the press.
VERB· Predictably, this putative development has aroused considerable opposition within public sector higher education.· The project aroused tremendous community opposition in the mid-1980s and was initially denied a permit by the California Energy Commission.· It's aroused a little local opposition.· As might be expected, such a policy aroused enormous controversy and opposition, and was later modified.· It aroused much local opposition but the directives came into force, technically at least, from I January this year.· Even where an application does arouse some opposition, issues of public amenity rarely arise.
· Even a government with substantial majority support would have encountered the same opposition.· You've probably never encountered opposition before, because you've deliberately gone after the weak who couldn't fight back.· They encountered no opposition though Ranulf maintained that he had seen a rider watching them as they crossed the bridge at Dalmeny.
· At our Sunday Mass, you can see how we all come together to express our silent opposition to the regime.· The secret ballot gave these students their first free opportunity to express opposition.· Some consultants have also expressed their opposition.· The imprecise nature of the emotions expressed requires the opposition of formal restraint to produce the dynamism necessary to the convincing poem.· Indeed, all the consultants, doctors, local health councils and general practitioners have expressed their opposition.
· The reforms will have to be passed by the national conference where they will face considerable opposition.· But they face opposition from a lobbying powerhouse of credit card companies, banks, auto companies and retail chains.· Gramm faces token opposition in the Republican primary scheduled for March 12.
· His son was now to take charge and lead the opposition to Lij Yasu.· Liberty-loving Patrick Henry led the opposition to disestablishment.· The new show, in which leading opposition figures have been charged, is technically within the law.· So long as Stravinsky had led the opposition on behalf of tonality, art music had broadened and deepened in expressive range.· And yet it looks doomed to failure, thwarted by a United States-led opposition.· As a senator, Bob Dole led the opposition to this reform effort.· Brown led the opposition campaign, and later criticized the media for creating a negative image of the Legislature.
· These are likely to meet with opposition on the grounds of spoiling favourite views.· In each so-called cooperative the attention paid to social issues, work conditions, and community welfare was meeting strong opposition.· On Christmas Day, he met the opposition head-on.· Still the plan met intense opposition.· The proposals were met with opposition from across the political spectrum.· That met a lot of opposition from different sources.· The levy, which began on January 1, has met with fierce opposition from the trade unions.· Before they start down the court to meet the opposition, they warm up.
· In each they struggled with considerable success to overcome that opposition.· By her patience and charity she eventually overcame opposition and became the advisor and dearest friend of the whole household.· Our ancestors were somehow able to overcome all the opposition that stood in their way.· But he could not overcome strong opposition from anti-abortion activists in the party.
· Ironically, when Leicester did run at the opposition, the previously secure Quins looked vulnerable.· But he said that the request is likely to run into opposition unless efforts to overhaul the program are completed.· But although test boreholes were successfully sunk at Altnabreac in Caithness in November 1975, the programme quickly ran into opposition elsewhere.· But that idea has run into stiff opposition.· Vogts can not be accused of running away from top-class opposition.· His political views were closely akin to those of the monarchists, and he ran into immediate opposition ii, Congress.· Not surprisingly Teetotalism at first ran into opposition from some Nonconformists who saw it as a rival pseudo-religion.· Newlands' bill, as expected, ran into immediate opposition.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► in oppositionPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Newspapers must reflect the views of the opposition as well as those of the government.
- Opinion polls showed the opposition pulling ahead in some areas.
- Nevertheless, both my master and Agrippa were loud in their praise of my martial prowess.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveopposed ≠ unopposedopposingoppositenounoppositionoppositeverbopposeadverbopposite
1[uncountable] strong disagreement with, or protest against, something such as a plan, law, or systemopposition to There was a great deal of opposition to the war.opposition from They face opposition from local residents as well as from environmentalists. He is confident in his ability to overcome all opposition with his personal charm. The proposals have aroused the opposition of teachers. Strong opposition resulted in rejection of the bill. Plans to turn the site into a £600 million leisure complex have met with stiff opposition. Much public opposition to the new law remained. Workers found themselves in opposition to local interests.2the opposition in some countries such as Britain, the main political party in Parliament that is not part of the government: the leader of the Opposition the three main opposition parties3in opposition in some countries such as Britain, a political party that is in opposition is in Parliament, but is not part of the government: The Socialists were elected to power after ten years in opposition.4[countable, uncountable] the people who you are competing against: They played well against good opposition.GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?• In this meaning, opposition is usually followed by a singular verb: · The opposition was too strong for us.• In British English, you can also use a plural verb: · The opposition were too strong for us.Grammar guide ‒ NOUNS5[countable, uncountable] formal when two things are completely oppositeopposition between the opposition between capitalism and socialismCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesstrong opposition (=disagreement that someone feels strongly)· The scheme has met with strong opposition from local people.fierce/intense/stiff opposition (=strong opposition)· It is certain that there will be fierce opposition to the changes.violent/vehement opposition (=showing extremely strong angry feelings)· The 2,000-strong congress met the violent opposition of left-wingers.· There has been vehement opposition from the fishing industry.considerable opposition (=quite a lot of opposition)· The development went ahead in spite of considerable opposition.growing/mounting opposition (=opposition that is increasing)· There was growing opposition to the war.local opposition· It took three years to overcome local opposition from environmentalists.widespread opposition (=opposition from many people or in many places)· Journalists have reported widespread opposition to the regime.public opposition· Public opposition has blocked the building of nuclear power stations.organized opposition (=protest that people express by working together in an organized way)· The proposal was passed with no organized opposition.verbsface opposition (=experience opposition that has to be dealt with)· The proposal faced opposition from road safety campaigners.meet (with) opposition/run into opposition (=face opposition)· A new tax would meet a lot of opposition.· The Bill ran into opposition in the House of Lords.encounter opposition (=find that there is opposition)· The police encountered little opposition, and restored order within the hour.express (your) opposition· Parents expressed their opposition to the tests.overcome opposition (=deal with opposition so that it no longer exists)· Nothing he said could overcome their opposition.arouse opposition/arouse the opposition of somebody (=make someone feel disagreement)· A plan to build on farm land aroused local opposition.opposition comes from somebody· The strongest opposition came from Republican voters.THESAURUSopposition noun [uncountable] strong disagreement with or protest against something: · Opposition to the proposed scheme was widespread.· The plan met with stiff opposition (=strong opposition).objection noun [countable] a reason you give for opposing an idea or plan: · My main objection is that it will cost too much money.· A number of objections were raised.antagonism noun [uncountable] a strong feeling of opposition to something, or dislike for someone, which is shown in your behaviour, and has often existed for a long time: · his own antagonism to any form of authority· There is no antagonism towards tourists on the island.· people’s antagonism to communismhostility noun [uncountable] angry remarks or behaviour that show someone opposes something very strongly, or dislikes someone very much: · The announcement was greeted with hostility from some employees.· There is a certain amount of hostility towards the police among local people.antipathy noun [uncountable] formal a strong feeling of opposition and dislike for someone or something: · his fundamental antipathy to capitalism· Her long-standing antipathy to Herr Kohl was well-known.· Darwin shared Lyell's antipathy to the idea that the same species could appear independently in different areas.