What does opposition mean?
Opposition is the noun form of oppose and refers to disagreement, resistance, or active challenge. It may describe a position against a proposed policy, the act of preventing or countering a decision, or, in politics, the parties and politicians opposing the government in power. The word often suggests more than passive disagreement, because it can imply organized resistance or a contest of power. For example, a proposal may face strong opposition from the public, while a parliamentary opposition criticizes and seeks to influence government policy. In ordinary argument, opposition can be fairly neutral, although it may carry a slightly adversarial tone. The related adjective oppositional is more commonly used to describe deliberate opposition or an argumentative stance. Opposition is also closely associated with political systems in which competing parties regularly challenge one another.
nounResistance, opposition, or the state of being opposed to a person, action, or proposal. In politics, it may also refer to the political parties or groups that oppose the party or government in power.
- Resistance or the act of opposing a person, action, or proposal.
- The political parties or groups that oppose the government or governing party.
- A person or group viewed as an adversary or competitor.
- The state of being opposed or contrasted with something.
"The proposal met with strong opposition from local residents."
"There was considerable opposition to the decision to close the hospital."
"The opposition argued that the new law would place excessive burdens on small businesses."
"Her political instincts led her to join the opposition."
The plural is uncommon. For political groups or collective resistance, “opposition” is normally used without a plural.
"The discussions exposed several oppositions within the coalition."
In politics, “the opposition” can mean not only disagreement but the entire group of people challenging the government in power.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does opposition come from?
The word derives from Latin oppositio, a noun meaning a placing against, opposition, or resistance, formed from opponere, “to place against.” English opposition entered through Old French opposition and became established in its modern sense during the early modern period. Its relatives oppose, opponent, and opposed share the same Latin root, and the word’s political sense developed from the broader idea of standing against someone or something.
Related word forms
How opposition is actually used
Opposition is common in both formal and informal contexts. In political usage, it can refer collectively to opposing parties or groups, while in general contexts it often describes resistance to a decision, plan, or action. “The opposition” is generally countable and collective in political contexts; “oppositions” is uncommon.
Easily confused with opposition
Opposed is an adjective describing someone or something that is against a person, action, or proposal, whereas opposition is the noun for resistance or the group opposing a government.
Opposition can describe broader disagreement or resistance, while protest usually refers to a public expression of objection, often in the form of a demonstration.