opposition
Pluraloppositions (some meanings)
- 1The act of fighting against or strongly disagreeing with someone or something.
Like pushing back when someone tries to push you forward.
The mayor faced fierce opposition when she tried to close the park.
His opposition to the changes surprised everyone on the team.
UsageSay opposition to a plan and opposition from people.
Similarresistance, hostility, objection, dissent, conflict
- 2A political party or group that stands against the government in power.
The opposition voted against the new tax law.
Members of the opposition demanded an early election.
UsageUsually say the opposition: the leader of the opposition.
Oppositegovernment
Note
- 3The person, team, or company you are trying to beat in a game, contest, or business.
Our team watched videos of the opposition before the big game.
The bakery lowered its prices when the opposition opened across the street.
Similarcompetition, opponents, rivals, competitors
- 4The state of being completely different from something or on the other side from it.
Like black and white: two things that are complete opposites.
Her ideas stand in opposition to everything the company believes.
The two proposals are in direct opposition to each other.
UsageSay one idea is in opposition to another.
Similarcontrast, contradiction
Note
Less common meanings
- 5When two objects in the sky appear on roughly opposite sides as seen from Earth.
Like the sun and the full moon: when one rises, the other sets on opposite sides of the sky.
Mars reaches opposition about every two years, when it shines brightest.
During opposition, the planet rises just as the sun sets.
UsageSay a planet is at opposition.
Oppositeconjunction
Note
- 6A legal step where someone tries to stop a trademark from being officially registered.
- 7In logic, a difference between statements using the same subject and predicate, in saying all or some, or affirming or denying.
- 8In chess, when the kings face each other and the player who must move may have to let the other king forward.
Practice
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Origin
It came through Old French from a Late Latin word that translated the Greek word for 'antithesis'. It goes back to a Latin verb meaning 'I set against'.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Opposition came through Old French from Late Latin oppositiō. en.wiktionary.org
- Late Latin oppositiō translated Ancient Greek antíthesis. en.wiktionary.org
- Opposition ultimately derives from Latin oppōnō, meaning 'I set against'. en.wiktionary.org