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against

[uh-genst, uh-geynst]

Example Sentences Origin

preposition

in opposition to; contrary to; adverse or hostile to: twenty votes against ten; against reason.

in resistance to or defense from: protection against burglars.

in an opposite direction to: to ride against the wind.

into contact or collision with; toward; upon: The rain beat against the window.

in contact with: to lean against the wall.

EXPAND

in preparation for; in provision for: money saved against a rainy day.

having as background: a design of flowers against a dark wall.

in exchange for; as a balance to or debit or charge on: He asked for an advance against his salary.

in competition with: a racehorse running against his own record time.

10.

in comparison or contrast with: a matter of reason as against emotion.

11.

beside; near; before: The car is against the building.

COLLAPSE

conjunction

12.

Archaic. before; by the time that.

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Against is always a great word to know.

So is bezoar. Does it mean:

the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.

a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Idiom

13.

over against, in contrast with: the rich over against the poor.

Origin:
1125–75; Middle English agens, ageynes, equivalent to ageyn again + -es -s¹; for -t compare whilst, amongst

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To against

Example Sentences

Plato distinguishes war against outsiders from what he calls factionalized struggles, that is, civil wars.

During the past twelve months many major currencies have risen against the dollar.

They are held against their will and forced to work without pay.

EXPAND

Plato distinguishes war against outsiders from what he calls factionalized struggles, that is, civil wars.

During the past twelve months many major currencies have risen against the dollar.

They are held against their will and forced to work without pay.

The antibody binding site, tucked away in a stable region of the virus, might form the first lasting vaccine against flu.

Of course, this whole thing has been a race against time.

Hand pulling or hoeing is your first line of defense against weeds, especially annual and biennial kinds.

And attempts to use private security-backed militias as proxies against pirates haven't produced much results, either.

Most major currencies have weakened against the dollar since the end of last year.

The toads make the toxins to protect themselves against predators, which learn not to eat the deadly amphibians.

Drug therapies show promise in the battle against addictive stimulants.

These all against us, and the job on our hands is too large for us.

Learn how to grow it against a wall or up an arbor.

The more a drug is used, the faster resistance against it develops.

Researchers are also working on an apple that could vaccinate children against a virus that is the leading cause of pneumonia.

Furthermore, our legal advisors strongly advised against the idea of intentionally poisoning horns.

Their black wing casings stood out starkly against the silver bark.

Push against the wall as you screw in the eyehooks, first by hand and then using a screwdriver for more leverage.

The situation in the camps is causing additional problems of insecurity and violence, especially against women.

Still, the researchers caution against treating wounds with commercially sold manuka honey.

Just looking at sick people protects against illness.

Here, brightly colored ceramics are showcased against the sandblasted wall.

The longevity drug resveratrol may also protect against radiation damage.

Setting a cluster of color against a simple background will enhance the mood.

Some of the ways bacteria protect themselves from antibiotics might be used against them to strengthen existing drugs.

Jerry wanted a tree with a light-colored trunk so it would stand out against a dark brown fence that surrounds the planting area.

Hammerheads use their wide heads to attack stingrays, pinning the winged fish against the sea floor.

Use for bold effects against walls, at back of wide flower borders, on slopes.

As a lioness tries to feed her cubs with a fresh kill, the prey's mother waits nearby to defend her young against its attacker.

The rings around the neck and the underbody are pinkish-red, striking against the black back.

Goodall has also spoken out against medical experiments performed on chimpanzees and other animals.

Good against background of evergreens, or for height and contrast above border of rhododendrons and azaleas.

Of all the flavors, the lemon really stands out against the honey.

Can be sheared as a low hedge, grown as a pot plant for indoor use, or trained against a fence or espalier.

Good in woodland garden and as foreground specimens against backdrop of larger, darker-leafed trees.

Good in perennial borders or at edge of woodland against a dark background.

Magnificent in large borders against background of dark green foliage, wall, or solid fence.

Plant shrub roses among perennials, climbing types over arbors and against fences or walls.

Or display them individually with a name card propped against each one for seating at spring parties.

The table is made from the same flagstone as the slender serving counter tucked against the wall.

Ultra-blue hydrangeas look good against the chartreuse cottage.

Whatever your garden's size or style, good plant health is your first line of defense against potential problems of any kind.

And its delicate tracery of leaves and flowers is especially effective against a backdrop of dark green foliage.

Carbaryl, diazinon, and malathion are effective chemical controls against caterpillars.

Starting at the bottom, pound handfuls against the mold with a round rock.

Locate plants against a dark background to show off flowers, form, fall color.

News about war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Defences against cyberwarfare are still rudimentary.

Trial results are promising, but marred by poor efficacy against severe forms of the disease.

Fed up with extortion and violent crime, ordinary citizens are rising up against organized crime.

But when he began to walk and move about, the stones in his stomach knocked against each other and rattled.

Dragon's drool, frog's glands and shark's stomachs have all been recruited for the fight against drug-resistant bacteria.

The designer chose a handful of dramatic pieces to stand out against quieter elements.

And a while ago it occurred to me that, in addition to measuring my reactions against those of others in comparable.

Forests help filter pollution out of the water and protect against flooding, mudslides, and erosion.

Some of the ways bacteria protect themselves from antibiotics might be used against them to strengthen.

Everything about him was against his being a powerful speaker.

Maybe it's the stark beauty of snowcapped granite towering against a slate gray sky.

Fences and other deterrents are often useless against hungry herds.

Antibodies against the common flu blunt bird flu's effects on mice, but how to enhance the protection in people is unclear.

Milkweed plants defend themselves against caterpillars and other predators with toxins, spiky leaves and sticky latex.

It's humbling to pit your wits against these junior geographic geniuses.

Win all your debates against creationists with the science in our.

Again, he must act against his nature and learn patience before inserting damp garments into the cylinder.

Foliage is malodorous when brushed against or bruised.

Join the war against the insects, and watch one frustrated city dweller fail-and fail again-to rid his.

Vaccines have accomplished near miracles in the fight against infectious disease.

Parents ignore the advice of doctors and experts and refuse to vaccinate their children against deadly diseases.

Just below, great lengths of timber used in the initial salvage lean against the walls.

The novel approach, as well as a vaccine made from live parasites, offers new hope in the battle against malaria.

His other hand presses a45-caliber automatic against her neck.

Bougainvillea climbs a trellis and grows against the cliff that rises at the back of the garden.

The park closed for several weeks as firefighters struggled against the blaze.

The collection of this tax would be simple and far easier to control against fraud and evasion.

He would recognize the cost of his abuses against nature, and he would finally begin to try to make amends.

Effective against background of dark green shrubs or at end of pool where graceful form can be displayed.

There was the enemy overseas, and also the battle against prejudice at home.

Infamous preservative may help defend against bacteria.

The fortifications that once guarded against pirates have been turned into restaurants, hotels and residences.

During his career, he has used his camera as a weapon to fight against war.

Researchers have developed a potent weapon against the paralyzing disease botulism.

High walls and surrounding mountains served as intimidating defenses against raiders tempted to plunder the city's wealth.

No one welcomes a serious infection, but in some cases it can help to protect you against tumors.

But for others, held there against their will, it was a prison.

If you grow your peppers against a south wall, the higher ambient.

Ten thousand mounted riders race across a scorching desert, galloping into almost certain death against foes.

Guarding against unsafe drugs means major changes.

There was a real wave of feeling against that kind of hierarchy, against the literary cannon.

Contrast wild nature and clean, smooth architectural furniture against a crusty stone wall for richness.

Many organisms produce their own antibiotics to protect themselves against disease-causing microbes.

Tech companies handcuff our files to protect against digital pirates.

It entertains by celebrating cultural traditions against a scrupulous investigation of their historical sources.

To defend against so many enemies, prairie dogs commonly perch on the large mounds at burrow entrances and look for danger.

Nukes will not be needed to guard against dangers from space.

When he considered a comeback the following season-his injuries had healed-his wife advised him against making a fool of himself.

To guard against cracks appearing in the countertop, cover seams in the cement board with.

See what common crimes against the planet one household is committing.

Proven systems and well-prepared people are our best protection against bioterror.

Moreover, he had no apparent reason to rage against the establishment.

Patchwork receptors target immune cells against cancer.

Wire, glue and tape fastened the fragile creations together, and backdrops of the heavens teetered against wine bottles.

Effective against many plant diseases, including powdery mildew and black spot.

Chemical controls against caterpillars include carbaryl and malathion.

Large, bright canary yellow blooms stand out against lush, dark green foliage on this vigorous plant.

One way to protect tomatoes against this disease is to erect plastic-covered shelters over plants.

Crooked branches and dark, red-tinged bark make dramatic picture against winter sky.

When snow covers the garden, as it has recently in much of the country, it works both for and against the plants you're growing.

Against a deep chocolate accent wall, this upholstered headboard is wrapped in a shimmery woven silk that's soft to the touch.

The show is best at dusk and at night, when the glow of fume clouds contrasts against dark sky and sea.

Against a rustic stucco wall, water trickles out of scalloped bowls into a colorful blue fountain bedecked with.

The secret is to press the drill firmly against the screw as you pull the start trigger on the drill.

Choose a site where it can be shown off against dark background or sky.

Clean leaves from gutters, and remove woody vegetation growing against structures.

In the colder part of its range, trees planted near south walls or trained against them benefit from reflected heat.

The cottonwoods blaze brilliant yellow against the surrounding red rock.

Employers are acting against their own interests if they pursue such categorical exclusions.

COLLAPSE

Collins

World English Dictionary

against (əˈɡɛnst, əˈɡeɪnst)

—*prep*
1.	opposed to; in conflict or disagreement with: they fought against the legislation
2.	standing or leaning beside or in front of: a ladder against the wall
3.	coming in contact with: the branches of a tree brushed against the bus
4.	in contrast to: silhouettes are outlines against a light background
5.	having an adverse or unfavourable effect on: the economic system works against small independent companies
6.	as a protection from or means of defence from the adverse effects of: a safeguard against contaminated water
7.	in exchange for or in return for
8.	rare in preparation for: he gave them warm clothing against their journey through the night
9.	as against as opposed to or as compared with: he had two shots at him this time as against only one last time

[C12: ageines, from again, ageyn, etc, again + -es genitive ending; the spelling with -t (C16) was probably due to confusion with superlatives ending in -st]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

against

early 12c., agenes "in opposition to," a southern variant of agen "again" (see again), with adverbial genitive and a parasitic -t that turned up mid-14c.

American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

against

In addition to the idioms beginning with against, also see beat one's head against the wall; cards are stacked against; come up against; count against; dead set against; guard against; have something against; hold something against; lift a hand against; over against; pit someone against; run against; set against; swim against; turn against; two strikes against; up against.