oppose
verb
op·pose ə-ˈpōz 
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 abstraction
L. E. Lynch
L. E. Lynch2
: to place opposite or against something
oppose the enemy
oppose a congressional bill
3
: to offer resistance to
opposer noun
Synonyms
- buck
- defy
- fight
- repel
- resist
- withstand
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web There are plenty of good reasons, rooted in scripture, to oppose it. Ericka Andersen, National Review, 11 Sep. 2022 What groups have paid to promote the station and oppose it? Jacob Scholl, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 Rather than reflexively oppose them, Fauci took their protest to heart. Abdul El-sayed, The New Republic, 25 Aug. 2022 According to a Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll, 72% of Utah voters want a full-day kindergarten option, while 16% oppose it. Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 Aug. 2022 Fortune’s Jane Thier explains why employees might be gaining the upper hand in the debate over remote work, despite the vocal, high-profile CEOs who oppose it. Aman Kidwai, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2022 As a political philosophy, liberalism creates space for a robust debate between those who challenge traditional gender and family relations and those who oppose them. William A. Galston, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 Granted, the Inflation Reduction Act is not only a climate bill, and Republicans oppose it for reasons beyond its climate policy. Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 Others, especially rural, tribal elders who make up the backbone of the movement, staunchly oppose it. Rahim Faiez And Siddiqullah Alizai, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2022 See More
Ericka Andersen, National Review, 11 Sep. 2022 What groups have paid to promote the station and oppose it? Jacob Scholl, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 Rather than reflexively oppose them, Fauci took their protest to heart. Abdul El-sayed, The New Republic, 25 Aug. 2022 According to a Deseret News/Hinckley Institute poll, 72% of Utah voters want a full-day kindergarten option, while 16% oppose it. Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 Aug. 2022 Fortune’s Jane Thier explains why employees might be gaining the upper hand in the debate over remote work, despite the vocal, high-profile CEOs who oppose it. Aman Kidwai, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2022 As a political philosophy, liberalism creates space for a robust debate between those who challenge traditional gender and family relations and those who oppose them. William A. Galston, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 Granted, the Inflation Reduction Act is not only a climate bill, and Republicans oppose it for reasons beyond its climate policy. Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 Others, especially rural, tribal elders who make up the backbone of the movement, staunchly oppose it. Rahim Faiez And Siddiqullah Alizai, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2022 See More 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
1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
oppose
verb
op·pose ə-ˈpōz
opposed; opposing
1
: to disagree with or disapprove of
They oppose the proposed changes.
2
: to compete against
She will oppose the mayor in November's election.
3
: to provide contrast to
Good opposes evil.
4
: to offer resistance to : try to stop or defeat
The group will oppose the new law.
Medical Definition
oppose
transitive verb
op·pose ə-ˈpōz
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
opposes
verb
1
as in resists
to refuse to give in to I will continue to oppose any attempts to infringe upon our civil liberties Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- resists
- withstands
- fights
- repels
- defies
- contradicts
- thwarts
- combats
- hinders
- bucks
- balks
- obstructs
- disputes
- counters
- frustrates
- contests
- challenges
- foils
- battles
- stems
- baffles
- checks
- contends (with)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- submits (to)
- yields (to)
- succumbs (to)
- surrenders (to)
- gives in (to)
- bows (to)
- stoops (to)
- capitulates (to)
- knuckles under (to)
2
as in combats
to strive to reduce or eliminate we must oppose ignorance and prejudice wherever and whenever they arise Synonyms & Similar Words
- resists
- combats
- fights
- confronts
- withstands
- counters
- thwarts
- battles
- frustrates
- oppugns
- faces
- contends (with)
- foils
- defies
- baffles
- meets
- checkmates
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- promotes
- encourages
- advances
- furthers
- fosters
- cultivates
- supports
- nourishes
- suffers
- endorses
- endures
- nurtures
- bears
- abides
- upholds
- advocates
- forwards
- backs
- champions
- indorses