oppose

[uh-pohz] /əˈpoʊz/
verb (used with object), opposed, opposing.
1.
to act against or provide resistance to; combat.
2.
to stand in the way of; hinder; obstruct.
3.
to set as an opponent or adversary.
4.
to be hostile or adverse to, as in opinion:
to oppose a resolution in a debate.
5.
to set as an obstacle or hindrance.
6.
to set against in some relation, especially as to demonstrate a comparison or contrast:
to oppose advantages to disadvantages.
7.
to use or take as being opposite or contrary.
8.
to set (something) over against something else in place, or to set (two things) so as to face or be opposite to one another.
verb (used without object), opposed, opposing.
9.
to be or act in opposition.
Origin
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
Related forms
opposer, noun
opposingly, adverb
nonopposing, adjective
preoppose, verb (used with object), preopposed, preopposing.
preopposed, adjective
quasi-opposed, adjective
reoppose, verb (used with object), reopposed, reopposing.
unopposed, adjective
unopposing, adjective
Synonyms
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.
Antonyms
1. support, help.
Examples from the web for oppose
  • Yet the wind farm has generated a storm of controversy among wildlife groups and many islanders, who strongly oppose the plan.
  • Those who oppose thank-yous think that sending them makes you look weak.
  • Even more telling, they uniformly oppose disclosure of their financial relationships.
  • In other words, it would chill any effort to oppose them.
  • Yet more voters now oppose the bills than support them, with many saying that the government is overreaching.
  • It convinced the country's largest advertisers to join together to oppose the company in public.
  • That's why the vast majority of scientists oppose using this method on people.
  • However, his criticism of those who oppose the deficit model comes across as a facile overgeneralization.
  • Or so go the arguments of many who oppose anti-aging technology.
  • But he knew that if you let that get into your mind and your soul you were lowering yourself to the level of those who you oppose.
British Dictionary definitions for oppose

oppose

/əˈpəʊz/
verb
1.
(transitive) to fight against, counter, or resist strongly
2.
(transitive) to be hostile or antagonistic to; be against
3.
(transitive) to place or set in opposition; contrast or counterbalance
4.
(transitive) to place opposite or facing
5.
(intransitive) to be or act in opposition
Derived Forms
opposer, noun
opposing, adjective
opposingly, adverb
oppositive (əˈpɒzɪtɪv) adjective
Word Origin
C14: via Old French from Latin oppōnere, from ob- against + pōnere to place
Word Origin and History for oppose
v.

late 14c., from Old French oposer "oppose, resist, rival; contradict, state opposing point of view" (12c.), from poser "to place, lay down" (see pose (v.1)), blended with Latin opponere "oppose, object to, set against" (see opponent). Related: Opposed; opposing.