opposed

[ uh-pohzd ]

adjective

1. hostile or resistant (usually followed by to ):

   At a town hall meeting about the proposed desalination plant, most speakers were opposed, citing high costs and the effect on marine life.

   Some educators are opposed to bringing new media tools into classes, viewing them as a potential distraction for students.

2. having contrary effects; operating at cross-purposes:

   How do we interpret these seemingly opposed trends—away from organized religion and toward the formation of strong spiritual beliefs?

3. set against or contrasted with something else or with each other; viewed as contrary or competing:

   The opposed images on the book’s title page represent the two very different understandings of “home” featured in the narrative.

4. situated, existing, or growing in opposite directions:

   There are two diametrically opposed arrows on the signpost, and we have no idea which one to follow.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of oppose ( def ).

Other Words From

• pre·op·posed adjective
• qua·si-op·posed adjective
• un·op·posed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of opposed¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; oppose ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. as opposed to, in contrast to; rather than:

   The new boss is intuitive as opposed to analytical, and conflict-shy as opposed to aggressive.

Example Sentences

“I was shocked when the Vatican raised their flag and opposed the human rights language,” said Sostina Takure, from Christian charity ACT Alliance.

From BBC

“It encourages emotion to drive our decision-making behavior, as opposed to logic,” Wright said.

From Los Angeles Times

Lai argued on Wednesday that he opposed violence and that advocating for Hong Kong independence was "too crazy to think about".

From BBC

While the federal lawsuit against Google began in his first administration, the president-elect has said that he opposed breaking up the company.

From New York Times

The California Democratic Party and Newsom opposed Proposition 36, a statewide ballot measure to increase penalties for repeat theft and drug crimes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anti
• antithetical
• averse
• disputed
• hostile
• inimical
• opposing