What does "opposition" mean?
The action of opposing or of being in conflict.
Opposition
/ˌɑ.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/ noun
noun ·Very common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The action of opposing or of being in conflict.
- Grammar: opposition is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: foe, resistance, academic dissent, act against.
- Useful contrasts: british government, dutch regering, executive cabinets.
- Usage evidence: There is certain to be some opposition to your suggestion.
How to use "opposition"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "opposition" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "opposition" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "opposition" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "opposition" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "opposition" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "foe" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "opposition", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The action of opposing or of being in conflict.
"The two politicians are in opposition to the bill."
- 2 the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with wordnet
- 3 An opposite or contrasting position.
"Near-synonym: oppositeness"
- 4 the act of hostile groups opposing each other wordnet
- 5 The apparent relative position of two celestial bodies when one is at an angle of 180 degrees from the other as seen from the Earth.
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 a body of people united in opposing something wordnet
- 7 A political party or movement opposed to the party or government in power.
"leader of the opposition"
- 8 the major political party opposed to the party in office and prepared to replace it if elected wordnet
- 9 In United States intellectual property law, a proceeding in which an interested party seeks to prevent the registration of a trademark or patent.
- 10 an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force) wordnet
- 11 A position in which the player on the move must yield with his king allowing his opponent to advance with his own king.
- 12 a contestant that you are matched against wordnet
- 13 The difference of quantity or quality between two propositions having the same subject and predicate.
- 14 a direction opposite to another wordnet
- 15 the relation between opposed entities wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
british governmentdutch regeringexecutive cabinetsfavorable regard
Example
"There is certain to be some opposition to your suggestion."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "opposition"?
Common synonyms include: foe, resistance, academic dissent, act against, adversary, adversary.
How do you use "opposition" in a sentence?
There is certain to be some opposition to your suggestion.
How do you pronounce "opposition"?
Pronounced /ˌɑ.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/.
Etymology
From Middle English opposicioun, from Old French oposicion (whence French opposition), from Late Latin oppositiō, translating Ancient Greek ἀντίθεσις (antíthesis), from the past participle stem of classical Latin oppōnō (“I set against”). Equivalent to oppose + -ition.