What does opposed mean?
Opposed most commonly describes a person, group, attitude, or position that resists or stands against something. The expression “opposed to” is especially common: a person may be opposed to a proposal, a policy, a change, or an idea. The word can indicate a considered moral, political, or practical disagreement, although it may also describe a less formal personal aversion. As a verb form, opposed is the third-person singular present and past participle of oppose, so it appears in sentences such as “The council opposed the plan.” Its basic meaning is consistent across these uses: to be against or resist something. The word is useful when describing active resistance or a clear position of disagreement, though it is often stronger and more deliberate than a general description of disliking something.
Resistant to, hostile toward, or deliberately against a person, action, idea, or plan.
"The board is opposed to any changes to the original design."
Commonly used in the construction “opposed to,” followed by a noun or gerund.
The third-person singular present and past participle of oppose; to resist, disagree with, or act against something.
"Several members opposed the merger."
Used as a finite present-tense verb or as a past participle, as in “has opposed.”
Opposed carries a sense of principled resistance, but it can also describe simple dislike: an opposed expression may be more than a frown.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does opposed come from?
The word is derived from oppose, which came through French from Latin opponere, meaning “to put against” or “set against.” Its development reflects the idea of placing one person, force, opinion, or interest in opposition to another. The related forms opponent and opposition continue the same Latin root, while opposed developed as the adjective and inflected verb form of oppose.
Related word forms
How opposed is actually used
When used as an adjective, opposed normally takes “to”: “opposed to change.” As a verb form, it follows the usual rules of the verb oppose and may be used in simple present, past, or perfect constructions.
Easily confused with opposed
Opposed is the adjective and the inflected verb form of oppose; oppose is the base verb, as in “They oppose the plan.”