oppose
gb/əpˈoʊz/ us/əpˈoʊz/
B1
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Actively resist or disagree with
To say or act to show you do not agree with something and want to stop it.
Usage pattern:
to oppose [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'oppose' with 'object to'. 'Oppose' is often broader and can include actions, not just words.
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.)
Collocations
strongly oppose
|oppose a plan
|oppose a decision
|oppose a proposal
|oppose a bill
Themes
politics
|conflict
|law
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Many citizens oppose the new tax law.
- She opposed the idea of moving to another city.
- 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.
- They oppose the war.
- We oppose cutting down the trees.
- She opposes the new rules.
- The workers oppose the change.
Verb
B2
relation
2
Be positioned opposite
To be across from someone or something.
Usage pattern:
to be opposed to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning always implies conflict; in fact, it can be neutral physical placement.
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.)
Collocations
directly opposed
|opposed teams
|opposed positions
Themes
spatial
|sports
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The two buildings oppose each other across the street.
- In the debate, she was opposed by a well-known lawyer.
- Our team will oppose theirs in the final match.
Learner examples
- The bank opposes the park.
- He was opposed by a strong player.
- The chairs oppose each other.
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.