against
7 synonyms and 1 antonyms for against, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Prep — In opposition to; contrary to.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use against
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English ayenes/agenes, a form of "again" with an adverbial ending; the final "t" was added around the 14th century by analogy with superlative endings like "-est."
Full origin of against →Frequently asked questions
What does “against” mean?
The word “against” means in opposition to; contrary to. In plain terms, opposed to, touching, or in preparation for something.
How do you pronounce “against”?
“Against” is pronounced uh-GEHNST (/əˈɡɛ̟nst/ in IPA).
How do you use “against” in a sentence?
Here is “against” used in a sentence: “She voted against the proposal.”
What is the opposite of “against”?
The opposite of “against” — its antonyms — is with.
What part of speech is “against”?
“Against” is a preposition.
Where does the word “against” come from?
The word “against” dates back to around 1300 and comes from Middle English. From Middle English ayenes/agenes, a form of "again" with an adverbial ending; the final "t" was added around the 14th century by analogy with superlative endings like "-est.".
Is “against” a common word?
“Against” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “against” have?
“Against” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in opposition to; contrary to.
What is the opposite of 'against'?
The main opposite is "for," meaning in favour or in support of something, like voting for a plan rather than against it. "In favour of," "supporting," and "pro" work the same way. When "against" describes physical contact, such as leaning against a wall, it has no true opposite, only "away from."
What are the different meanings of 'against'?
"Against" has several uses. It shows opposition ("against the idea"), physical contact or support ("leaning against the door"), protection ("insured against loss"), and contrast or comparison ("her results against last year's"). It can also mean moving in the opposite direction, as in "sailing against the current." Context decides which sense applies.
What is the difference between 'against' and 'versus'?
Both signal opposition, but "versus" (often shortened to "vs") is used mainly to name two sides in a contest, match, or legal case, like "England versus France." "Against" is broader and more flexible, covering opposition of every kind. You would say "played against them," rarely "played versus them," in ordinary speech.