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against

against

683 1.0
Compared with something to show a difference
  • adposition
  • /əˈɡɛnst/
translation icon : en comparación con
  • And then we balance it against the, the, the costs.
  • compare against
  • measure against
  • against the backdrop

The bright snow is startling against the deep blue sky.

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Examples

  • More recently, every smartphone is matched against the form and function of the iPhone.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Historic data series against which model output was compared are given in Table 1.

    Academic text (2011)
  • NIH program staff members examine application priority scores and consider these against the IC's needs.

    Academic text (2011)
  • How well do the Dilnot commission's proposals measure up against key reform objectives, asks Jeremy Dunning?

    Academic text (2011)
  • The performance of our team was impressive when measured against that of our competitors.

  • We need to evaluate the new policy against the needs of the community.

  • Her talents really shine when put against the backdrop of such prestigious artists.

Synonyms

versus
vsagainst
666 2.3

To say that two people, teams, or ideas are against each other

can be used for simple comparison without strong opposition
vis-à-vis
vsagainst
  • Formal
7 7.1

About or compared with

is the neutral, general way to compare or relate things
contra
vsagainst
  • Formal
7.4

A word showing disagreement with something, often in formal writing

is used for neutral comparison or relation rather than only opposition

Idioms

235 5.1

Facing a difficult problem you must deal with

against all odds
  • Informal
16 3.9

To succeed despite very bad chances

against time
  • Informal
12 3.8

Working quickly to finish something before a deadline

10 6.6

In a way that is different from what most people expect

dead set against
  • Informal
8 6.8

Being completely against an idea or plan

8 7.4

To do something very different from what most people expect or usually do

8 4.5

A situation where people must finish something quickly before it is too late

7 3.7

Trying to finish something before time runs out

Moving toward where the wind comes from

up against it
  • Informal
7 8.0

In a difficult situation with little time or help

4 6.0

To keep wishing for something even when it seems not likely

To try many times to do something without success and feel frustrated

A score by a team while the other team controls the game

To resist authority in a way that is useless and makes things worse

Trying very hard even when facing a much stronger opponent

To move forward despite strong opposition or many difficulties

To try to make something happen when it is already easy or people already agree

Carefully compare the good and bad points before you decide

Compounds

Very serious crimes that harm many people, for example murder, slavery or torture

The right to refuse to answer questions that could make you look guilty in court

A strong place or thing that protects people from bad things

slam against
  • Offensive
1 7.9

A strong criticism that attacks a person or idea

A thing like a school or library that helps people stay informed

A terrorist group started by Osama bin Laden in 1998 to unite armed Islamist groups in different countries

Rules that stop people at work from having close personal or romantic relationships

A South African group formed in 1996 to fight gangs and drugs, later accused of violent acts and extremism

Surface Forms

against main

Etymology

Against comes from old parts on- and gegn, meaning 'on the opposite side'. That idea of being side by side or opposite led to the use of against to mean 'compared with', as when you put two things next to each other to judge them.