opposition

[ op-uh-zish-uhn ]

noun

1. the action of opposing, resisting, or combating.
2. antagonism or hostility.
3. a person or group of people opposing, criticizing, or protesting something, someone, or another group.
4. Sometimes Opposition. the major political party opposed to the party in power and seeking to replace it.
5. the act of placing opposite, or the state or position of being placed opposite.
6. the act of opposing, or the state of being opposed by way of comparison or contrast.
7. Logic.
   1. the relation between two propositions that have the same subject and predicate, but which differ in quantity or quality, or in both.
   2. the relation between two propositions in virtue of which the truth or falsity of one of them determines the truth or falsity of the other.
8. Astronomy. the situation of two heavenly bodies when their longitudes or right ascensions differ by 180°:

   The moon is in opposition to the sun when the earth is directly between them.

9. Astrology. the situation of two heavenly bodies or groups of heavenly bodies whose celestial longitudes differ by 180°, conducive to confrontation or revelation: an astrological aspect.
10. Electricity. the condition that exists when two waves of the same frequency are out of phase by one-half of a period.
11. Linguistics.
    1. the relationship between any two alternative units within a linguistic system, especially between minimally distinct phonemes.
    2. the feature that constitutes the difference between two such units.

opposition

/ ˌɒpəˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of opposing or the state of being opposed
2. hostility, unfriendliness, or antagonism
3. a person or group antagonistic or opposite in aims to another
4. 1. a political party or group opposed to the ruling party or government
   2. ( capital as part of a name, esp in Britain and other Commonwealth countries )

      Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition

   3. (of a political party) opposing the government
5. a position facing or opposite another
6. the act of placing something facing or opposite something else
7. something that acts as an obstacle to some course or progress
8. astronomy
   1. the position of an outer planet or the moon when it is in line or nearly in line with the earth as seen from the sun and is approximately at its nearest to the earth
   2. the position of two celestial bodies when they appear to be diametrically opposite each other on the celestial sphere Compare conjunction
9. astrology an exact aspect of 180° between two planets, etc, an orb of 8° being allowed See conjunction square trine
10. logic
    1. the relation between propositions having the same subject and predicate but differing in quality, quantity, or both, as with all men are wicked; no men are wicked; some men are not wicked
    2. a diagram representing these relations with the contradictory propositions at diagonally opposite corners
11. the opposition
    chess a relative position of the kings in the endgame such that the player who has the move is at a disadvantage

    his opponent has the opposition

opposition

/ ŏp′ə-zĭsh′ən /

1. A characteristic movement of the primate thumb, in which the pad of the thumb can be placed in contact with the pads of the fingers of the same hand.
2. The position of two celestial bodies when their celestial longitude differs by 180°, especially a configuration in which Earth lies on a straight line between the Sun and a superior planet or the Moon. Planets in this position rise as the Sun sets and are visible all night long, reaching their highest point in the sky at midnight; the Moon in this position is full.
3. Compare conjunctionSee more at elongation

Derived Forms

• ˌoppoˈsitionless, adjective
• ˌoppoˈsitionist, noun
• ˌoppoˈsitional, adjective

Other Words From

• op·po·si·tion·al adjective
• op·po·si·tion·less adjective
• non·op·po·si·tion noun
• pre·op·po·si·tion noun
• su·per·op·po·si·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of opposition¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin oppositiōn- (stem of oppositiō ), equivalent to opposit(us) ( opposite ) + -iōn- -ion; replacing Middle English opposicioun, from Old French opposicion, from Latin as above

Example Sentences

Even if Senate Republicans strike a deal with Senator Debbie Stabenow, any agreement would face hurdles in the House, where ultraconservatives’ long-standing opposition makes passage under suspension of the rules unlikely.

From Salon

"This is the type of football team I want us to be, no matter where we go, no matter who the opposition is, we have a big say in games."

From BBC

The wife of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye says he has been kidnapped and is now being held in a military jail.

From BBC

Despite these defeats, Mahama has remained in the political sphere - he is currently leader of the opposition.

From BBC

The outlines of a response by the scientific community — including organized opposition to Kennedy’s appointment — are only now developing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• enemy
• foe
• opponent
• rebel
• rival