opposedop‧posed /əˈpəʊzd $ əˈpoʊzd/ ●●○ adjective [not before noun] 
Most of us are opposed to the death penalty.2two ideas that are opposed to each other are completely different from each other: The principles of capitalism and socialism are diametrically opposed (=completely opposite).3as opposed to something used to compare two things and show that they are different from each other: Students discuss ideas, as opposed to just copying from books.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- A more fundamental problem is that the agency is being asked by Congress to do two diametrically opposed things.
- As to the latter, the Jenkins and Diamond Reports took diametrically opposed positions.
- Broadly, these tensions result from two diametrically opposed approaches to social research - positivism and naturalism.
- But what are in one sense dramatically opposed kinds of relationship are in another simply alternative celebrations of masculinity.
- Knowledge and experience are not opposed but related, and there is a profound spiritual logic in the relationship.
- The movements did not so much drift apart as come to represent opposed interests.
- They aim to make it possible for those opposed to remain in the Church and be able to operate.
- They also say that they have discovered that this tends to produce two dramatically opposed views.
Longman Language Activatorto think something is wrong
to think that something is wrong and that it should not be allowed: · Lundgren is against abortion.· Most people are opposed to the privatization of the city's public transportation system.be strongly against: · There are two or three groups that are strongly against construction of the dam.be dead set against (=be very much against something): · She wants to marry him, but her parents are dead set against it.be strongly/totally/opposed to: · Senator Thompson remains totally opposed to any form of gun control.
to think that a plan, idea etc is wrong, and to try to prevent it from happening or succeeding: · Conservative MPs say they will oppose the new bill.strongly/vigorously oppose: · The Church strongly opposes same-sex marriage.
especially spoken to be against something, for example because it is new or different and you do not like things to change: · My grandmother doesn't agree with divorce.· There are many people in the US who do not agree with capital punishment.
to not support something, because you think something is wrong or immoral: · Fiona doesn't believe in having sex before marriage.· I don't believe in hitting children for any reason.
: anti-war/-smoking/-American etc against war, smoking, America etc: · Anti-war demonstrators gathered in the city's main square.· The anti-smoking laws seem ridiculous to me.· Anti-American sentiment remains high in the region.
someone who is hostile to a plan or idea opposes it very strongly, and expresses this in an angry way: · A hostile audience refused to listen to Senator Drummond's reply.hostile to/towards: · Local people are hostile towards the plan, which would involve a significant tax increase.openly hostile (=showing very clearly that you are hostile): · Lydon was openly hostile to any kind of criticism of the project.
behaving in a way that shows that you strongly disapprove of someone or something: · A lot of people refuse to work with Paula. Her manner is just too antagonistic.antagonistic to/towards: · The right-wing press has always been deeply antagonistic towards the Labour party.
opposite opinions, statements etc · We're good friends, but we have opposite views when it comes to politics.· It is strange how two scientists studying the same problem can come to completely opposite conclusions.· Margaret has very strong opinions, but she always tries to understand the opposite point of view.
opposing opinions, beliefs, statements etc are the opposite of each other: · Bobbie and Jo have opposing views on marriage.· Brad was prepared to accept that opposing beliefs could be held equally strongly and passionately.· The Party seems to be unsure which of two opposing political philosophies to follow.
completely opposite to and completely disagreeing with each other: · He feels that his Christian beliefs and the principles of capitalism are diametrically opposed.
spoken formal use this to tell someone that the opposite of what they say is true: · "Do you think the divorce will upset her family?'' "On the contrary. It will probably come as a relief.''· "You probably aren't interested in my opinion." "On the contrary, any ideas you have to add would be very welcome."
also quite the opposite/reverse especially British, spoken use this to tell someone that the opposite of a situation or statement is true: · My friends say I spend too much time studying, but my parents say just the opposite.· We were not in love at the time - quite the opposite in fact.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The principles of capitalism and socialism are diametrically opposed (=completely opposite).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Britain is adamantly opposed to the new directive. The march was bitterly opposed by local residents. The idea was fiercely opposed by nationalists. He remained implacably opposed to Stalin’s regime. I’m strongly opposed to capital punishment.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
The principles of capitalism and socialism are diametrically opposed (=completely opposite). Britain is adamantly opposed to the new directive. The march was bitterly opposed by local residents. The idea was fiercely opposed by nationalists. He remained implacably opposed to Stalin’s regime. I’m strongly opposed to capital punishment.· Broadly, these tensions result from two diametrically opposed approaches to social research - positivism and naturalism.· A more fundamental problem is that the agency is being asked by Congress to do two diametrically opposed things.· As to the latter, the Jenkins and Diamond Reports took diametrically opposed positions.· But this misses the real distinction between diametrically opposed beliefs based on entirely different conceptions of the satisfaction of human needs.· It also became clear that diametrically opposed opinions of and attitudes towards integration could quite easily be found within a local authority.· Often compromise is not possible: a choice has to be made between diametrically opposed policies.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Most company bosses say they are opposed to employees working a lot of overtime.
- Above all, Churchill was opposed to passing major legislation before the war was won.
- I am opposed to a district-wide imposition of uniforms.
- I am opposed to air mattresses at a rendezvous, personally.
- It is a topic which raises strong emotions and 80% of the population are opposed to bloodsports.
- Its opponents included liberals who were opposed to the death penalty and conservatives who objected to the gun control provisions.
- The other editor, Reform leader Isaac Mayer Wise, was opposed to abolition.
- This constructivist approach is opposed to psychological behaviourism.
- This is opposed to obeying orders from a center, or reacting in lock step to the overall environment.
- The tax system favors the very rich as opposed to ordinary working people.
- Analysts believe that the healthy results can be attributed to an increase in trade as opposed to interest rate fluctuations.
- Another point is to give the medication on a scheduled as opposed to an as-needed basis.
- It stumbled commercially, reaching only No. 28, as opposed to the No. 2 peak of the first album.
- Let the stretch the absolute from your leg as opposed to being your leg.
- Melville uses the eyes of the whale to suggest something of the duality of nature as opposed to the Singularity of man.
- The mindset is to go after the person complaining, as opposed to the issue.
- The squarish wings, as opposed to the swept, triangular variety, suggests A-10s or 37 fighter-trainers.
- The women hold diametrically opposed views on abortion.
- A more recent image is diametrically opposed to this and emphasizes the affluence of later life.
- Furthermore, the lift generated will act in a diametrically opposite direction when the rotation of the cylinder is reversed.
- In essence, the founding giants of the computer industry were diametrically opposed in both platform and product.
- It is clear that Guthrie and Linforth follow diametrically opposed methods and reach contradictory conclusions about the nature and existence of Orphism.
- Its neighbouring census tract to the north exhibited diametrically opposite trends, suggesting that whilst one area improved another declined.
- The assumptions in the two systems are almost diametrically opposed.
- Therefore, introspection and self-observation are diametrically opposed in action and effect, and should never be confused one with another.
- To begin with, he was diametrically opposed to the economic ideas advocated by Adam Smith.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveopposed ≠ unopposedopposingoppositenounoppositionoppositeverbopposeadverbopposite
1be opposed to something to disagree with something such as a plan or system: Most of us are opposed to the death penalty.2two ideas that are opposed to each other are completely different from each other: The principles of capitalism and socialism are diametrically opposed (=completely opposite).3as opposed to something used to compare two things and show that they are different from each other: Students discuss ideas, as opposed to just copying from books.