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against
[ uh-genst, uh-geynst ]
preposition
- in opposition to; contrary to; adverse or hostile to: against reason.
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.
The rain beat against the window.
- in contact with:
to lean against the wall.
- 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.
- in comparison or contrast with:
a matter of reason as against emotion.
The car is against the building.
conjunction
- Archaic. before; by the time that.
against
/ əˈɡeɪnst; əˈɡɛnst /
preposition
- opposed to; in conflict or disagreement with
they fought against the legislation
- standing or leaning beside or in front of
a ladder against the wall
- coming in contact with
the branches of a tree brushed against the bus
- in contrast to
silhouettes are outlines against a light background
- having an adverse or unfavourable effect on
the economic system works against small independent companies
- as a protection from or means of defence from the adverse effects of
a safeguard against contaminated water
- in exchange for or in return for
- rare.in preparation for
he gave them warm clothing against their journey through the night
- as againstas against as opposed to or as compared with
he had two shots at him this time as against only one last time
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of against1
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Idioms and Phrases
- over against,
- positioned across from or opposite; facing:
The debate teams were seated over against each other.
- in contrast with:
rich people over against poor people.
More idioms and phrases containing against
- 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
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Example Sentences
To those who agreed with him, Bush pledged that the law against same-sex marriage would remain intact.
To his critics, he explained—sometimes at painful length—his reasoning against it.
This is a blow against freedom of speech, we were told, by the likes of Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson.
Spouting off against police online has become criminalized in recent weeks.
The reason we were liberals is we were against oppression.
Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall?
Vain also was the valour and ability he showed in the campaign against the Royalists in La Vende.
Beginners must be warned against mistaking the edges of cells, or particles which have retained the red stain, for bacilli.
Whether they had ever, at different times, pleaded for or against the same cause, and cited precedents to prove contrary opinions?
He leant against the wall of his refuge, notwithstanding this boast, and licked the ice to moisten his parched lips.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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