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opposition

opposition

250 3.4
The act of resisting an idea, plan, or change
  • noun
  • /ˌɑːpəˈzɪʃən/
translation icon : oposición
  • Despite facing fierce opposition from rivals, the team managed to secure a spot in the finals.
  • strong opposition
  • widespread opposition
  • face opposition

So there is contradiction or opposition, not just between God and God.

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Examples

  • Our president took a great risk to come to your aid against strong opposition in both parties and among our allies.

  • And, um, in the last few years, this push for protection for sharks has been met by some opposition at different levels.

  • Under him, opposition to his rule was great.

  • We face opposition to our efforts from every quarter.

  • The incredible opposition was coming mostly from women and those that feel it's too much, too soon, too fast.

  • The community worker tried to convince the people but it was no use and the opposition grew stronger.

  • Christian residents of the city were vigorous in their opposition to any attempt to rebuild the temple.

    Academic text (2013)
  • But with each passing month, colonial opposition grows stronger and more impassioned.

  • There was widespread opposition to the proposed new law among local residents.

  • The opposition criticized the government's handling of the crisis during the debate.

Synonyms

confrontation
vsopposition
294 4.5

A situation when people or groups meet in direct conflict, often angrily

is broader, including non‑direct or non‑face actions of resistance
objection
vsopposition
292 3.6

A statement showing disagreement or disapproval

is the wider state or process of resisting beyond a single expressed disagreement
resistance
vsopposition
214 4.0

Refusal to accept a change or new rule

includes that refusal but also covers being in general conflict
reaction
vsopposition
141 5.8

Strong opposition to social or political change that defends older ideas

covers resisting or conflict in many contexts, not only conservative reactions
challenge
vsopposition
  • Formal
120 3.5

A formal objection that questions whether something is fair or correct

is more general, including everyday or informal resisting actions as well
dissent
vsopposition
  • Formal
73 6.6

A public or formal statement that shows disagreement with an idea

is broader, covering private or informal resisting as well as public disagreement
antagonism
vsopposition
16 6.9

Hostile feeling between people or groups

applies to general resisting or conflict, not always involving strong hostility
dissidence
vsopposition
1 8.2

A disagreement with a government or its rules

is the general act of resisting, not limited to authority or policy
contestation
vsopposition
  • Formal
1 8.4

A strong disagreement about something important

is wider, applying to any resisting action or state beyond formal disputes
oppositionality
vsopposition
  • Specialized
9.2

A habit of often disagreeing and refusing to do what others ask

is the general act or state of resisting or being in conflict
mutual opposition
vsopposition
7.7

A situation where two ideas, groups, or feelings are against each other

is broader, covering any act or state of resisting or conflict
oppositeness
vsopposition
7.5

A state where two things are completely different, like day and night

focuses more on acting against or resisting rather than mere contrast
counterposition
vsopposition
8.2

An argument that opposes another idea

is the wider act or state of resistance, not only a counter viewpoint
confliction
vsopposition
7.5

A disagreement between ideas, people, or interests

emphasizes the process of resisting or being in conflict rather than just a clash
contrariety
vsopposition
9.9

A state in which two ideas or things are opposite and cannot both be true

focuses on active resisting or conflict rather than mere incompatibility

Antonyms

361 1.0

A situation in which people have the same opinion or give their approval

Compounds

Complete disagreement between two things that are exact opposites

antipodal opposition
  • Specialized
9.9

A relation between two points directly opposite each other on a sphere or circle

gradable opposition
  • Specialized
9.5

Words like hot and cold that show opposite ends of a scale

A situation where two ideas, groups, or feelings are against each other

orthogonal opposition
  • Specialized
9.9

Two things that are at right angles to each other, like lines or vectors

A clear contrast between two very different ends that shows points between them

ungradable opposition
  • Specialized
9.9

Two opposite things with no middle state between them

How Strong

rebellion
128 4.1
defiance
76 5.3
opposition
250 3.4
resistance
214 4.0
objection
292 3.6

Surface Forms

opposition singular
oppositions plural

Morphology

opposition = oppose (transparent) = op + posit + ion

The noun 'opposition' is transparently derived from the verb 'oppose' with the suffix '-ion' indicating an action or condition.

Etymology

The word opposition comes from Latin words ob- 'against' and ponere 'to place', like the word oppose. So opposition means the act or state of being 'against' something.