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

Would some of those players not here in Athens have been more minded to report had this been Tuchel's first game in charge as opposed to the dying embers of the Carsley interim regime?

From BBC

This will be crucial in laying the groundwork for success — and ensuring that the special interests that opposed Measure G, including county employee unions, don’t try to weaken or stall the ambitious plans.

From Los Angeles Times

Zeldin has a 14 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters, with the organization finding he opposed 51 out of 53 climate change bills on which he voted from 2015 to 2023.

From Salon

At the same time, he opposed clean water legislation at least 12 times and clean air legislation at least six times.

From Salon

The Conservatives opposed the plans, with shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart claiming the government was "seeking to remove established scrutineers in order to replace them with Labour appointees".

From BBC

Related Words

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