opposition
15 synonyms and 1 antonyms for opposition, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Strong disagreement with, or resistance to, a plan, policy, or idea.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use opposition
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French oposicion, from Late Latin oppositio, ultimately from Latin oppono, "to set against" — the same family as "oppose" and "opposite."
Full origin of opposition →Frequently asked questions
What does “opposition” mean?
The word “opposition” means strong disagreement with, or resistance to, a plan, policy, or idea. In plain terms, resistance to something, or the group/party actively resisting it.
How do you pronounce “opposition”?
“Opposition” is pronounced op-uh-ZIHSH-uhn (/ˌɑ.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “opposition” in a sentence?
Here is “opposition” used in a sentence: “The proposal faced fierce opposition from local businesses.”
What is the opposite of “opposition”?
The opposite of “opposition” — its antonyms — is apposition.
What part of speech is “opposition”?
“Opposition” is a noun.
Where does the word “opposition” come from?
The word “opposition” comes from Late Latin. From Old French oposicion, from Late Latin oppositio, ultimately from Latin oppono, "to set against" — the same family as "oppose" and "opposite.".
Is “opposition” a common word?
“Opposition” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “opposition” have?
“Opposition” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: strong disagreement with, or resistance to, a plan, policy, or idea.
What is the difference between opposition and resistance?
Both mean pushing against something, but opposition is often about disagreement — expressing that you are against a plan or idea, sometimes formally. Resistance emphasises actively working to stop or slow it. You can voice opposition through argument alone; resistance usually implies effort or action to block something.
What does 'opposition' mean in politics?
In politics, 'the opposition' is the party or parties not in government, whose role is to challenge, scrutinise, and offer alternatives to those in power. Capitalised as 'the Opposition', it often refers to the largest such party in a parliament, like the UK's Official Opposition.
Is opposition a negative thing?
Not necessarily. Although it means being against something, opposition is a healthy part of debate, democracy, and decision-making. Challenging ideas can expose flaws and improve plans. It only becomes negative when it is obstructive or purely destructive rather than reasoned and constructive.
What is the opposite of opposition?
The opposite is support, agreement, or approval — backing a plan rather than resisting it. Words like 'support', 'endorsement', and 'cooperation' capture the reverse. In politics, the opposite of the opposition is the governing party or the side in power.