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
