oppose

[ uh-pohz ]
/ əˈpoʊz /

verb (used with object), op·posed, op·pos·ing.

verb (used without object), op·posed, op·pos·ing.

to be or act in opposition.

Origin of oppose

1350–1400; Middle English < Old French opposer, blend of Latin oppōnere to set against and Old French poser to pose1, associated with the L past participle oppositus

SYNONYMS FOR oppose

1 confront, contravene. Oppose, resist, withstand imply setting up a force against something. The difference between oppose and resist is somewhat that between offensive and defensive action. To oppose is mainly to fight against, in order to thwart, certain tendencies or procedures of which one does not approve: The lobbyists opposed the passage of the bill. Resist suggests that the subject is already threatened by the forces, or by the imminent possibility, against which he or she struggles: to resist temptation. Again, whereas oppose always suggests an attitude of great disapproval, resist may imply an inner struggle in which the will is divided: She tried unsuccessfully to resist the temptation to eat dessert. Withstand generally implies successful resistance; it may refer to endurance that allows one to emerge unharmed ( to withstand a shock ), as well as to active resistance: to withstand an attack.
2 prevent.
4 contradict.

OTHER WORDS FROM oppose

Example sentences from the Web for opposed

British Dictionary definitions for opposed

oppose
/ (əˈpəʊz) /

verb

(tr) to fight against, counter, or resist strongly
(tr) to be hostile or antagonistic to; be against
(tr) to place or set in opposition; contrast or counterbalance
(tr) to place opposite or facing
(intr) to be or act in opposition

Derived forms of oppose

opposer, noun opposing, adjective opposingly, adverb oppositive (əˈpɒzɪtɪv), adjective

Word Origin for oppose

C14: via Old French from Latin oppōnere, from ob- against + pōnere to place