Oppose
/əˈpəʊz/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo express or show opposition or disagreement; to be against or resist.
/əˈpəʊz/
To be against something; to disagree with or disapprove of something.
The parents opposed their child's decision to drop out of school.
💡 Simply: Imagine you and your friend want to go to the movies, but you disagree with which movie to watch. Oppose means you're saying 'no, I don't agree' or 'I'm against it.'
👶 For kids: To say 'no' or 'I don't agree' with something or someone.
More Examples
Many citizens oppose the new tax.
The government opposed the new environmental regulations.
How It's Used
"The senator opposed the bill."
"The speaker opposed the motion."
To place or set (something) against something else; to set or place in opposition.
/əˈpəʊz/
To place or set something against something else.
The defenders opposed the invaders at the gate.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're pushing a box. If someone is also pushing it from the other side, they are opposing your force. It's like putting two things up against each other.
👶 For kids: To put something on the other side of something else so that it faces it.
More Examples
The strong winds opposed the sailboat's course.
The two armies opposed each other on the battlefield.
How It's Used
"The forces opposed each other."
"The two rooks opposed each other."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
in opposition to
Against; in disagreement with.
"The activist group marched in opposition to the new law."
opposing force
A force that works against another force.
"The opposing force of gravity kept the rocket grounded."
From Middle French *opposer*, from Latin *opponere* ('to set against, object'), from *ob* ('against') + *ponere* ('to put, place').
Historically used in legal contexts, referring to contesting legal actions. Also used in contexts of debate and political discourse.
Memory tip
Imagine two people on opposite sides of a debate, actively opposing each other's views.
Word Origin
"to set against"