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Opposite vs. Against — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Opposite and Against

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Definitions

Opposite

Placed or located directly across from something else or from each other
Opposite sides of a building.

Against

In a direction or course opposite to
Row against the current.

Opposite

Facing the other way; moving or tending away from each other
Opposite directions.

Against

So as to come into forcible contact with
Waves dashing against the shore.

Opposite

Being the other of two complementary or mutually exclusive things
The opposite sex.
An opposite role to the lead in the play.
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Against

In contact with so as to rest or press on
Leaned against the tree.

Opposite

Altogether different, as in nature, quality, or significance
The effect of the medication was opposite to that intended.

Against

In hostile opposition or resistance to
Struggle against fate.

Opposite

Sharply contrasting; antithetical
Had opposite views on the subject.

Against

Contrary to; opposed to
Against my better judgment.
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Opposite

Growing in pairs on either side of a stem
Opposite leaves.

Against

In competition with
Raced against the record holder.

Opposite

Arranged on the same radius as another part, as stamens and petals.

Against

In contrast or comparison with the setting or background of
Dark colors against a fair skin.

Opposite

One that is opposite or contrary to another.

Against

In preparation for; in anticipation of
Food stored against winter.

Opposite

An opponent or antagonist.

Against

As a defense or safeguard from
Protection against the cold.

Opposite

An antonym.

Against

To the account or debt of
Drew a check against my bank balance.

Opposite

In an opposite position
They sat opposite at the table.

Against

Directly opposite to; facing.

Opposite

Across from or facing
Parked the car opposite the bank.

Against

In a contrary direction to.
It is hard work to swim against the current.

Opposite

In a complementary dramatic role to
He played opposite her.

Against

In physical opposition to; in collision with.
The rain pounds against the window.

Opposite

Located directly across from something else, or from each other.
She saw him walking on the opposite side of the road.

Against

In physical contact with, so as to abut or be supported by.
The ladder was leaning against the wall.
The puppy rested its head against a paw.
The kennel was put against the back wall.

Opposite

(botany) Of leaves and flowers, positioned directly across from each other on a stem.

Against

Close to, alongside.
A row of trees stood against a fence.

Opposite

Facing in the other direction.
They were moving in opposite directions.

Against

In front of; before (a background).
The giant was silhouetted against the door.

Opposite

Of either of two complementary or mutually exclusive things.
He is attracted to the opposite sex.

Against

In contrast or comparison with.
He stands out against his classmates.
This report sets out the risks against the benefits.

Opposite

Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.

Against

In competition with, versus.
The Tigers will play against the Bears this weekend.

Opposite

Something opposite or contrary to something else.

Against

Contrary to; in conflict with.
Doing this is against my principles.
It is against the law to smoke on these premises.
There was no car in sight so we crossed against the red light.

Opposite

A person or thing that is entirely different from or the reverse of someone or something else; used to show contrast between two people or two things.
She is the opposite of her ex-boyfriend who abused her both physically and verbally nearly every day for five years. She now works as an advocate and supportive listener for others who have endured abusive relationships.

Against

In opposition to.
Are you against freedom of choice?
He waged a ten-year campaign against the company that was polluting the river.
I'd bet against his succeeding.

Opposite

An opponent.

Against

Of betting odds, denoting a worse-than-even chance.
That horse is fifty-to-one against, so it has virtually no chance of winning.

Opposite

An antonym.
"Up" is the opposite of "down".

Against

In exchange for.
The vouchers are redeemable against West End shows and theatre breaks.

Opposite

(mathematics) An additive inverse.

Against

As counterbalance to. en

Opposite

In an opposite position.
I was on my seat and she stood opposite.
Where's the bus station? -Over there, just opposite.

Against

As a charge on.
Tax is levied against income from sales.

Opposite

Facing, or across from.
He lives opposite the pub.

Against

As protection from.
He turned the umbrella against the wind.

Opposite

In a complementary role to.
He played opposite Marilyn Monroe.

Against

In anticipation of; in preparation for (a particular time, event etc.).
The stores are kept well stocked against a time of need.

Opposite

(television) On another channel at the same time.
The game show Just Men! aired opposite The Young and the Restless on CBS.

Against

(Hollywood) To be paid now in contrast to the following amount to be paid later under specified circumstances, usually that a movie is made or has started filming.
The studio weren't sure the movie would ever get made, so they only paid $50,000 against $200,000. That way they wouldn't be out very much if filming never began.

Opposite

Placed over against; standing or situated over against or in front; facing; - often with to; as, a house opposite to the Exchange; the concert hall and the state theater stood opposite each other on the plaza.

Against

(obsolete) Exposed to. en

Opposite

Situated on the other end of an imaginary line passing through or near the middle of an intervening space or object; - of one object with respect to another; as, the office is on the opposite side of town; - also used both to describe two objects with respect to each other; as, the stores were on opposite ends of the mall.

Against

(obsolete) By the time that (something happened); before.

Opposite

Applied to the other of two things which are entirely different; other; as, the opposite sex; the opposite extreme; antonyms have opposite meanings.

Against

Abreast; opposite to; facing; towards; as, against the mouth of a river; - in this sense often preceded by over.
Jacob saw the angels of God come against him.

Opposite

Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
Novels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pleasure opposite to that which is designed in an epic poem.
Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite, significations.

Against

From an opposite direction so as to strike or come in contact with; in contact with; upon; as, hail beats against the roof.

Opposite

Set over against each other, but separated by the whole diameter of the stem, as two leaves at the same node.

Against

In opposition to, whether the opposition is of sentiment or of action; on the other side; counter to; in contrariety to; hence, adverse to; as, against reason; against law; to run a race against time.
The gate would have been shut against her.
An argument against the use of steam.

Opposite

One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist.
The opposites of this day's strife.

Against

By of before the time that; in preparation for; so as to be ready for the time when.
Urijah the priest made it, against King Ahaz came from Damascus.

Opposite

That which is opposed or contrary in character or meaning; as, sweetness and its opposite; up is the opposite of down.
The virtuous man meets with more opposites and opponents than any other.

Opposite

Two words that express opposing concepts;
To him the opposite of gay was depressed

Opposite

A relation of direct opposition;
We thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true

Opposite

A contestant that you are matched against

Opposite

Something inverted in sequence or character or effect;
When the direct approach failed he tried the inverse

Opposite

Being directly across from each other; facing;
And I on the opposite shore will be, ready to ride and spread the alarm
We lived on opposite sides of the street
At opposite poles

Opposite

Of leaves etc; growing in pairs on either side of a stem;
Opposite leaves

Opposite

Moving or facing away from each other;
Looking in opposite directions
They went in opposite directions

Opposite

The other one of a complementary pair;
The opposite sex
The two chess kings are set up on squares of opposite colors

Opposite

Altogether different in nature or quality or significance;
The medicine's effect was opposite to that intended
It is said that opposite characters make a union happiest

Opposite

Characterized by opposite extremes; completely opposed;
In diametric contradiction to his claims
Diametrical (or opposite) points of view
Opposite meanings
Extreme and indefensible polar positions

Opposite

Directly facing each other;
The two photographs lay face-to-face on the table
Lived all their lives in houses face-to-face across the street
They sat opposite at the table

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