oppose Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb be against; express opposition to
    • We oppose the ban on abortion
  2. verb fight against or resist strongly
    defend; fight down; fight back; fight.
    • The senator said he would oppose the bill
    • Don't fight it!
  3. verb contrast with equal weight or force
    counterbalance.
  4. verb set into opposition or rivalry
    play off; pit; match.
    • let them match their best athletes against ours
    • pit a chess player against the Russian champion
    • He plays his two children off against each other
  5. verb act against or in opposition to
    react.
    • She reacts negatively to everything I say
  6. verb be resistant to
    contradict; controvert.
    • The board opposed his motion

WordNet


Op*pose" transitive verb
Etymology
F. opposer. See Ob-, Pose, and cf.2d Appose, Puzzle, n. Cf.L. opponere, oppositum.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Opposed ; present participle & verbal noun Opposing
Definitions
  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.
Op*pose" intransitive verb
Definitions
  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.

Webster 1913