oppose definition | Dictionary.com

op⋅pose

[uh-pohz]

verb, -posed, -pos⋅ing.

–verb (used with object)

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, esp. 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)

9.	to be or act in opposition.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < OF opposer, b. L oppōnere to set against and OF poser to pose ¹ , associated with the L ptp. oppositus

Related forms:

op⋅pos⋅er, noun

op⋅pos⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To oppose

op·pose (ə-pōz')

v. op·posed, op·pos·ing, op·pos·es

v. tr.

To be in contention or conflict with: oppose the enemy force.
To be resistant to: opposes new ideas.
To place opposite in contrast or counterbalance.
To place so as to be opposite something else.

v. intr.
To act or be in opposition.

[Middle English opposen, to question, interrogate, from Old French opposer, alteration (influenced by poser, to place) of Latin oppōnere, to oppose (ob-, against; see ob- + pōnere, to put; see apo- in Indo-European roots).]
op·pos'er n.

Synonyms: These verbs mean to set someone or something in opposition to another: Oppose has the widest application: opposed the building of a nuclear power plant. "The idea is inconsistent with our constitutional theory and has been stubbornly opposed ... since the early days of the Republic" (E.B. White).
Fight and combat suggest vigor and aggressiveness: "All my life I have fought against prejudice and intolerance" (Harry S. Truman). "We are not afraid ... to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it" (Thomas Jefferson).
To resist is to strive to fend off or offset the actions, effects, or force of: "Pardon was freely extended to all who had resisted the invasion" (John R. Green).
Withstand often implies successful resistance: "Neither the southern provinces, nor Sicily, could have withstood his power" (Henry Hallam).
To contest is to call something into question and take an active stand against it: contested her neighbor's claims to her property in court.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Oppose

Op*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Opposed; p. pr. & vb. n. Opposing.] [F. opposer. See Ob-, Pose, and cf.2d Appose, Puzzle, n. Cf.L. opponere, oppositum.]

1. 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. --Shak.

2. To put in opposition, with a view to counterbalance or countervail; to set against; to offer antagonistically.

I may . . . oppose my single opinion to his. --Locke.

3. To resist or antagonize by physical means, or by arguments, etc.; to contend against; to confront; to resist; to withstand; as, to oppose the king in battle; to oppose a bill in Congress.

4. To compete with; to strive against; as, to oppose a rival for a prize.

I am . . . too weak To oppose your cunning. --Shak.

Syn: To combat; withstand; contradict; deny; gainsay; oppugn; contravene; check; obstruct.

Oppose

Op*pose"\, v. i. 1. To be set opposite. --Shak.

2. To act adversely or in opposition; -- with against or to; as, a servant opposed against the act. [Obs.] --Shak.

3. To make objection or opposition in controversy.

Language Translation for : oppose

Spanish: oponerse (a), estar en contra (de),

German: sich widersetzen,

Japanese: 反対する

More Translations »

oppose

c.1386, from O.Fr. opposer, from O.Fr. poser "to place, lay down" (see pose), blended with L. opponere "oppose, object to, set against" (see opponent). Opposable in ref. to thumbs is from 1833.

Main Entry: op·pose
Pronunciation: &-'pOz
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: op·posed; op·pos·ing
: to place the ball of (a first digit) against the corresponding part of a second digit of the same hand or foot oppose the big toe as freely as the thumb>

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