oppose
gb/əpˈoʊz/ us/əpˈoʊz/
B1
English
~ 2200
ellenez, szembeszáll, tiltakozik, szemben van, szemben áll
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to oppose [something]
Many citizens oppose the new tax law.
Sok állampolgár ellenzi az új adótörvényt.
She opposed the idea of moving to another city.
Ellenezte azt az ötletet, hogy másik városba költözzenek.
The group opposed the construction of the factory.
Several politicians opposed the bill in parliament.
He openly opposed his manager’s decision.
Learner examples
I oppose this plan.
Ellenzem ezt a tervet.
They oppose the war.
Ellenzik a háborút.
We oppose cutting down the trees.
She opposes the new rules.
The workers oppose the change.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'oppose' with 'object to'. 'Oppose' is often broader and can include actions, not just words.
Meaning
Actively resist or disagree with
Collocations
strongly oppose
|oppose a plan
|oppose a decision
|oppose a proposal
|oppose a bill
Synonyms
resist (Focuses more on physical or active effort to stop something, while 'oppose' can be verbal or ideological.)
|
object (Often used for formal statements of disagreement, especially in meetings or legal contexts.)
Antonyms
support (Means to agree with or help something to happen, the opposite of resisting it.)
Themes
politics
|conflict
|law
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say or act to show you do not agree with something and want to stop it.
To try to prevent or stop something by expressing disagreement or taking action against it.
VERB
B2
2
szemben van
A2
szemben áll
B1
Usage pattern:
to be opposed to [someone/something]
The two buildings oppose each other across the street.
A két épület egymással szemben áll az utca két oldalán.
In the debate, she was opposed by a well-known lawyer.
A vitában egy jól ismert ügyvéd állt vele szemben.
Our team will oppose theirs in the final match.
Learner examples
The bank opposes the park.
A bank a parkkal szemben van.
He was opposed by a strong player.
Egy erős játékos állt vele szemben.
The chairs oppose each other.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning always implies conflict; in fact, it can be neutral physical placement.
Meaning
Be positioned opposite
Collocations
directly opposed
|opposed teams
|opposed positions
Synonyms
face (Emphasizes looking toward something, not necessarily in opposition.)
Antonyms
align with (To be positioned in the same direction or side rather than facing against.)
Themes
spatial
|sports
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be across from someone or something.
To be or place something so that it is facing something else, usually across from it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
oppose
IPA
GB/əpˈoʊz/
US/əpˈoʊz/
Syllables & stress
op - pose (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pose)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: oppose
- 3rd Person Singular: opposes
- Present Participle: opposing
- Past: opposed
Word family
Forms
opposes
verb
opposing
verb
opposed
verb
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
unopposed
adjective
Advanced or less common
oppositional
adjective
Expressions
be opposed to
1/bˈi əpˈoʊzd tə/
fixed phrase
Disagree with or disapprove of
To not agree with something and want it not to happen.
Examples
- I am strongly opposed to smoking in public places.
- They were opposed to the changes in the law.
oppose someone/something tooth and nail
1/əpˈoʊz sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ tˈuθ ˈænd nˈeɪl/
idiom
informal
Fight strongly against
To fight very hard to stop someone or something.
Examples
- The community opposed the new shopping center tooth and nail.
- They opposed the policy tooth and nail until it was withdrawn.