What does oppose mean?
Oppose means to resist, challenge, or disagree with a person, action, plan, or idea. It can be used when a person or organization objects to a proposal, when someone disagrees with a policy or course of action, and when one participant or team plays against another. The related expression 'be opposed to' is especially common: 'She is opposed to the proposal.' In formal and political contexts, oppose often implies taking a position rather than merely having a mild preference. The word comes from Latin opponere, formed from ob- meaning 'against' and ponere, 'to place.' Its historical image is therefore that of placing something or someone in opposition. Although oppose can sound forceful, it is widely used in neutral reporting, debate, law, and everyday discussion. The related noun opposition can describe either a person or group that resists something or the state of being against it.
verbTo oppose someone or something means to resist, oppose, or disagree with a person, plan, action, or idea. It can also mean to play against someone in a contest or competition.
- To resist or disagree with a person, proposal, plan, policy, action, or idea.
- To be against something, especially when expressed as a position or attitude.
- To play against someone or another side in a contest or competition.
"The council opposed the proposal to close the hospital."
"Many residents opposed the development project."
"She opposed the proposal during the debate and later voted against it."
Oppose comes from the Latin opponere, literally 'to place against,' a fitting origin for a word about taking the opposing side.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does oppose come from?
The English verb derives from the Latin opponere, a compound of ob- 'against' and ponere 'to place', with the original sense 'to place against'. The word entered English through Old French opposer, and its modern meanings developed from the idea of setting one person, position, or force against another. Latin forms related to the same root include opponens, the source of opponent and opposition, while the adjective opposite developed from a related Latin participle.
Related word forms
How oppose is actually used
Oppose is commonly transitive: 'oppose the plan' means to resist or disagree with the plan. The phrase 'opposed to' is also common: 'The committee is opposed to the change.' The word is generally formal or neutral, while 'be against' is often more conversational.
Easily confused with oppose
To oppose something is to resist or disagree with it, whereas to impose something is to force a requirement, rule, or condition on someone.