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

Despite a pledge to be a president who presides over peace rather than war, Trump takes office against a backdrop of global upheaval: wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the increasing closeness of Russia and North Korea, an ascendant China.

From Los Angeles Times

Hegseth, on TV, podcasts and books, has railed against what he calls the “woke” military.

From Los Angeles Times

Ukrainians fear Trump will cut off military aid for the war against Russia, even as Ukraine’s leader aims to win him over with congratulations and praise.

From Los Angeles Times

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is facing pushback from senior Labour figures over his repeated strident interventions against a move to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.

From BBC

However print versions of the earlier sections do not have the change, because for many years the Académie fought a rear-guard action against it.

From BBC