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mutual opposition

mutual opposition

7.7
A situation where two ideas, groups, or feelings are against each other
  • noun
  • /ˈmjuːtʃuəl ˌɒpəˈzɪʃən/
translation icon : oposición mutua
  • The mutual opposition of their ideas made it difficult to reach a consensus during the discussions.

Examples

  • In the debate, the mutual opposition between the two candidates highlighted their differing philosophies.

  • The team's mutual opposition to the project led to a stalemate in their negotiations.

  • Each is defined by its mutual opposition to the other: "we believe what we do not see."

    Academic text (2007)

Synonyms

opposition
vsmutual opposition
250 3.4

The act of resisting an idea, plan, or change

refers to a stable relation where two attributes oppose each other
hostility
vsmutual opposition
147 4.7

Unfriendly or angry actions and feelings toward someone

describes a neutral opposition between tendencies, not personal ill will
antagonism
vsmutual opposition
16 6.9

Hostile feeling between people or groups

is about two attributes directly opposing each other, not personal hostility
polarity
vsmutual opposition
5 7.0

Two opposite ideas or feelings, for example hope and despair

focuses on direct opposition between two tendencies rather than mere contrast
oppositeness
vsmutual opposition
7.5

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

describes two attributes directly set against each other
diametrical opposition
vsmutual opposition
8.1

Complete disagreement between two things that are exact opposites

describes direct tension between two tendencies rather than partial difference
contrariety
vsmutual opposition
9.9

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

means two attributes are directly opposed rather than merely different
contradictoriness
vsmutual opposition
9.1

A state where ideas or statements say opposite things and cannot both be true

emphasizes direct opposition of two tendencies not only logical contradiction
oppositionality
vsmutual opposition
  • Specialized
9.2

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

describes a neutral structural opposition between two tendencies
confliction
vsmutual opposition
7.5

A disagreement between ideas, people, or interests

means a structured direct opposition between two attributes rather than a dispute

How Opposed

mutual opposition
7.7
to conflict
135 4.1
opposition
250 3.4
tension
509 3.2
neutrality
22 4.4
compatibility
29 4.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

mutual + opposition

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'mutual' (held equally by both parties) with 'opposition' (resistance or dissent); a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to two parties opposing each other. This adjective+noun composition is literal and common across languages, so the relation is immediately comprehensible.

Etymology

The phrase mutual opposition may come from the simple image of two people or teams facing each other and pushing back so neither side moves. Here mutual means both sides and opposition means 'acting against', so the phrase describes two things that are 'directly opposed to each other'.