oppose
verbUK /əˈpəʊz/ · US /əˈpoʊz/
Etymology From Middle English opposen, from Old French opposer, from Latin ob (“before, against”) + Medieval Latin pono (“to put”), taking the place of Latin opponere (“to oppose”).
1
To attempt to stop the progression of; to resist or antagonize by physical means, or by arguments, etc.; to contend against.
- to oppose the king in battle
- to oppose a bill in Congress
2 more examples
- There is still time to oppose this plan.
- I am […] too weak / To oppose your cunning.1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv]:
2
To object to.
- Many religious leaders oppose cloning humans.
3
To present or set up in opposition; to pose.
- They are opposed to any form of hierarchy.
- , Book I I may […] oppose my single opinion to his.
1 more example
- [T]hree walls had been left standing, with large intervals between each; and they would certainly oppose a most formidable interruption to an invader.1839, Philip Meadows Taylor, Confessions of a Thug:
4
To place in front of, or over against; to set opposite; to exhibit.
- Her grace sat down […] / In a rich chair of state; opposing freely / The beauty of her person to the people.1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
- Synonyms
33 terms
be against, fight, check, bar, block, prevent, take on, counter, contest, resist, confront, face, combat, defy, thwart, contradict, withstand, stand up to, hinder, struggle against, obstruct, fly in the face of, take issue with, be hostile to, counterattack, speak out against, be in opposition to, be in defiance of, strive against, set one's face against, take a stand, make a stand against, dispute- Antonyms
- support
- Derived terms
- opposability, opposable, opposably, opposal, opposee, opposeless, opposure, reoppose
- Related terms
- opponent, opposer, opposite, opposition