oppose
uh-POHZ
Oppose (verb) means to disagree with or actively resist something. Example: “My parents opposed the idea of me moving abroad so young.”
verb
1
To disagree with or actively resist something.
"My parents opposed the idea of me moving abroad so young."
"Several senators opposed the bill."
"Local residents opposed the construction of the new highway."
How to use oppose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stand against something — a plan, an idea, a person — because you disagree with it.
Common pairings
oppose a bill
strongly oppose
oppose the idea
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- opposes
- Past tense
- opposed
- Archaic forms
- opposest, opposedst, opposeth
Fill the gap
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My parents _____ the idea of me moving abroad so young.
Etymology
From Old French opposer, ultimately shaped by Latin ob- ("against") plus ponere ("to put"), replacing the earlier Latin verb opponere.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for oppose
See all rhymes for oppose →Frequently asked questions
What does “oppose” mean?
The word “oppose” means to disagree with or actively resist something. In plain terms, to stand against something — a plan, an idea, a person — because you disagree with it.
How do you pronounce “oppose”?
“Oppose” is pronounced uh-POHZ (/əˈpoʊz/ in IPA).
How do you use “oppose” in a sentence?
Here is “oppose” used in a sentence: “Several senators opposed the bill.”
What is another word for “oppose”?
Words with a similar meaning to “oppose” include be against, fight, check, bar, block and prevent.
What is the opposite of “oppose”?
The opposite of “oppose” — its antonyms — is support.
What part of speech is “oppose”?
“Oppose” is a verb.
Where does the word “oppose” come from?
The word “oppose” comes from Latin. From Old French opposer, ultimately shaped by Latin ob- ("against") plus ponere ("to put"), replacing the earlier Latin verb opponere.
Is “oppose” a common word?
“Oppose” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'oppose' and 'be opposed to'?
'Oppose' is a transitive verb that takes a direct object, as in they oppose the plan. 'Be opposed to' uses the preposition 'to' and often describes a settled stance, as in they are opposed to the plan; both express resistance, but the second sounds more like a fixed position.
What is the difference between oppose and object?
To oppose something is to actively resist or work against it, often over time. To object is to state disagreement, usually at a specific moment; you object to something with the preposition 'to', whereas oppose takes a direct object without a preposition.
What is the difference between oppose and resist?
Both mean to work against something, but oppose emphasises disagreement and taking a stand, while resist emphasises withstanding or refusing to give in to pressure. You might oppose a policy in debate and resist an attempt to force it through.
What preposition follows 'oppose'?
'Oppose' normally takes no preposition, since it is transitive and directly followed by its object, as in oppose the decision. The preposition 'to' appears only with the adjective form, as in opposed to the decision.
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