against

[ uh-genst, uh-geynst ]

preposition

1. in opposition to; contrary to; adverse or hostile to: against reason.

   twenty votes against ten;

   against reason.

2. in resistance to or defense from:

   protection against burglars.

3. in an opposite direction to:

   to ride against the wind.

4. into contact or collision with; toward; upon:

   The rain beat against the window.

5. in contact with:

   to lean against the wall.

6. in preparation for; in provision for:

   money saved against a rainy day.

7. having as background:

   a design of flowers against a dark wall.

8. in exchange for; as a balance to or debit or charge on:

   He asked for an advance against his salary.

9. in competition with:

   a racehorse running against his own record time.

10. in comparison or contrast with:

    a matter of reason as against emotion.

11. beside; near; before:

    The car is against the building.

conjunction

1. Archaic. before; by the time that.

against

/ əˈɡɛnst; əˈɡeɪnst /

preposition

1. opposed to; in conflict or disagreement with

   they fought against the legislation

2. standing or leaning beside or in front of

   a ladder against the wall

3. coming in contact with

   the branches of a tree brushed against the bus

4. in contrast to

   silhouettes are outlines against a light background

5. having an adverse or unfavourable effect on

   the economic system works against small independent companies

6. as a protection from or means of defence from the adverse effects of

   a safeguard against contaminated water

7. in exchange for or in return for
8. rare.
   in preparation for

   he gave them warm clothing against their journey through the night

9. as against
   as opposed to or as compared with

   he had two shots at him this time as against only one last time

Word History and Origins

Origin of against¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English agens, ageynes, equivalent to ageyn again + -es -s ¹; for -t whilst, amongst

Word History and Origins

Origin of against¹

C12: ageines, from again, ageyn, etc, again + -es genitive ending; the spelling with -t (C16) was probably due to confusion with superlatives ending in -st

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. over against,
   1. positioned across from or opposite; facing:

      The debate teams were seated over against each other.

   2. in contrast with:

      rich people over against poor people.

More idioms and phrases containing against

• beat one's head against the wall
• cards are stacked against
• come up against
• count against
• dead set against
• guard against
• have something against
• hold something against
• lift a hand against
• over against
• pit someone against
• run against
• set against
• swim against
• turn against
• two strikes against
• up against

Example Sentences

The Justice Department closed its investigation last year without filing charges against Gaetz; the Ethics Committee then opened its own inquiry.

From Salon

The House Ethics Committee had also investigated the accusations against Gaetz and was due to release its findings this week.

From Salon

They were also told her current employer was aware of the case against her and that she had completed training relating to safeguarding and professional boundaries.

From BBC

A former Met Police officer has denied eight sex offences against a woman and a girl.

From BBC

The 49-year-old is also charged with five counts of indecent assault against a girl under 16 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, between 1989 and 1990, when he was a teenager.

From BBC