Opposed

/əˈpoʊzd/

verbmedium🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To be against something; to disagree with or disapprove of something.

/əˈpoʊz/

verbnegativemedium
Action

To be against or in conflict with something.

The council voted to oppose the new development.

💡 Simply: Imagine you want pizza, but your friend wants tacos. You're *opposed* to their taco idea, you'd rather have pizza!

👶 For kids: When you don't like something or disagree with someone.

More Examples

2

Many citizens opposed the proposed tax increase.

3

She opposed her sister's decision to move abroad.

How It's Used

Politics

"The senator opposed the bill."

Debate

"She opposed her opponent's argument."

2

Being in conflict or disagreement; hostile or antagonistic.

/əˈpoʊzd/

adjectiveneutralmedium
Descriptive

Being against or in conflict with something.

They held opposed views on the subject.

💡 Simply: Imagine two teams in a game. They are *opposed* to each other, trying to win.

👶 For kids: When people or groups are not on the same side.

More Examples

2

The opposed armies prepared for battle.

3

The opposed candidates debated their policies.

How It's Used

Politics

"There were opposed viewpoints on the issue."

Debate

"The opposed parties presented their arguments."

Tip:Think of two forces pushing in opposite directions, creating an "o" for opposed.

Idioms & expressions

oppose something tooth and nail

To strongly oppose something or someone.

"The local community opposed the new highway expansion tooth and nail."

in opposition to

Against; in disagreement with.

"The activist group marched in opposition to the new law."

From Old French *opposer* (to set against, resist), from Latin *opponere* (to set against, oppose), from *ob-* (against) + *ponere* (to place).

The word 'opposed' has been used for centuries to describe the act of disagreeing or standing against something, evolving from legal and political contexts into broader applications.

Memory tip

Imagine two people standing back-to-back, not in agreement, forming an "o" for oppose.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"To set against, oppose"

oppose a motionoppose the ideaoppose the planopposed viewsopposed partiesstrongly opposed

Common misspellings

oppossedoppossed

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written