Opposition is strong, angry, or violent disagreement and disapproval.
The government is facing a new wave of opposition in the form of a student strike.
Much of the opposition to this plan has come from the media. [+ to]
Synonyms: hostility, resistance, resentment, disapproval More Synonyms of opposition
2. countable noun [with singular or plural verb, usually singular, oft NOUN noun]
Theopposition is the political parties or groups that are opposed to a government.
The main opposition parties boycotted the election, saying it would not be conductedfairly.
3. countable noun [with singular or plural verb, usually singular]
In a country's parliament or legislature, theopposition refers to the politicians or political parties that form part of the parliament or legislature, but are notthe government.
...the Leader of the Opposition.
4. singular noun [with singular or plural verb]
Theopposition is the person or team you are competing against in a sports event.
Poland provide the opposition for the Scots' last warm-up match at home. [+ for]
More Synonyms of opposition
opposition in British English
(ˌɒpəˈzɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act of opposing or the state of being opposed
2.
hostility, unfriendliness, or antagonism
3.
a person or group antagonistic or opposite in aims to another
4. the opposition
5.
a position facing or opposite another
6.
the act of placing something facing or opposite something else
7.
something that acts as an obstacle to some course or progress
8. astronomy
a.
the position of an outer planet or the moon when it is in line or nearly in line with the earth as seen from the sun and is approximately at its nearest to the earth
b.
the position of two celestial bodies when they appear to be diametrically opposite each other on the celestial sphere
Compare conjunction (sense 4)
9. astrology
an exact aspect of 180° between two planets, etc, an orb of 8° being allowed
an opposed condition; resistance, contradiction, contrast, hostility, etc.
3.
a.
any person, group, or thing that opposes
b. [oftenO-]
a political party opposing, and serving as a check on, the party in power
4. Astrology and Astronomy
the position of two celestial bodies when their celestial longitudes differ by 180°; esp., the position of a superior planet or the full moon when it is in opposition with the sun
5. Law
the refusal of a creditor to assent to a debtor's release under the bankruptcy law
6. Logic
the relation of exclusion or inclusion which exists between propositions having the same subject and predicate but differing in quality, quantity, or both
Derived forms
oppositional (ˌoppoˈsitional)
adjective
oppositionist (ˌoppoˈsitionist)
noun, adjective
Word origin
ME opposicioun < OFr opposition < L oppositio < oppositus, pp. of opponere: see opponent
COBUILD Collocations
opposition
effective opposition
outright opposition
Examples of 'opposition' in a sentence
opposition
You want to focus on the team and the opposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is expected to meet fierce opposition within the education sector.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He would be a good man to lead the new opposition party this country needs.
The Sun (2016)
She met strong opposition from residents and conservation societies.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The fiercest opposition she faced came from battling a runny nose that left her sounding full of cold.
The Sun (2016)
And there will be a full team in place to take on this government and provide very effective opposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are, and they require the unwavering support and respect of both government and opposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Political opposition is mounting, and there have been calls for demonstrations against the scheme.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
When he draws attention to something about the opposition, you then see it on the pitch.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The strongest opposition came from anglers and angling interests.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Support for the more extreme opposition groups comes from other outside players.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That is a measure of the chaos that has engulfed the party that nominally forms the opposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You have a special kind of calm strength that means opposition to your plans melts away.
The Sun (2012)
But as the dreaded hour of separation drew near opposition in the country became intense.
Bryant, Arthur The Search for Justice - a history of Britain and the British people Volume III (1990)
We oppose this move and there is already significant opposition within the government.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But it is forceful in suppressing the political opposition and controlling the media.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They are likely to face acute local opposition in some areas.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The opposition had something to do with it.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We need players who will ask questions of the opposition and scare teams a bit more.
The Sun (2014)
Its plans have prompted fierce opposition from conservationists.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We fancy our chances against any opposition in our home conditions.
The Sun (2011)
The disruption to their lives is regrettable and their opposition to the line inevitable.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The opposition for the match is yet to be announced.
The Sun (2015)
He won the past four elections but opposition is growing.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
That means youngsters regularly playing tough cricket against strong opposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Only 15 per cent think he has provided effective opposition.
The Sun (2014)
It had intended to cut the time the four main Opposition leaders could pay their respects.
The Sun (2015)
All the Leader of the Opposition can do is talk.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It's a modest retreat from the oppressive status quo, stopping far short of the full dismantling that opposition groups rightly demand.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
opposition
British English: opposition /ˌɒpəˈzɪʃən/ NOUN
Opposition is strong, angry, or violent disagreement and disapproval.
There is strong opposition to the plan from local people.
American English: opposition
Arabic: مُعارَضَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: oposição
Chinese: 反对派
Croatian: otpor
Czech: opozice
Danish: opposition
Dutch: oppositie
European Spanish: oposición
Finnish: vastustus
French: opposition
German: Widerstand
Greek: εναντίωση
Italian: opposizione
Japanese: 反対
Korean: 반대
Norwegian: motstand
Polish: opozycja
European Portuguese: oposição
Romanian: opoziție
Russian: сопротивление
Latin American Spanish: oposición
Swedish: opposition
Thai: การคัดค้าน
Turkish: muhalefet
Ukrainian: опір
Vietnamese: sự chống đối
Chinese translation of 'opposition'
opposition
(ɔpəˈzɪʃən)
n
(u) (= resistance) 反对(對) (fǎnduì)
the opposition (Sport, = opponents) 对(對)手 (duìshǒu)
the Opposition (Brit, Pol) 反对(對)派 (fǎnduì pài)
1 (noun)
Definition
hostility, resistance, or disagreement
Much of the opposition to this plan has come from the media.
Synonyms
hostility
hostility among traditionalists to this method of teaching history
resistance
In remote villages there is a resistance to change.
resentment
disapproval
obstruction
Americans viewed the army as an obstruction to legitimate economic development.
animosity
There's a long history of animosity between the two nations.
aversion
Many people have an aversion to insects.
antagonism
There is much antagonism between the two teams.
antipathy
She'd often spoken of her antipathy towards London.
obstructiveness
counteraction
contrariety
Opposites
agreement
,
approval
,
support
,
cooperation
,
collaboration
,
assent
,
responsiveness
,
concurrence
2 (noun)
Definition
a person or group antagonistic or opposed to another
The team inflicted a crushing defeat on the opposition.
Synonyms
opponent(s)
competition
In this business you have to stay one step ahead of the competition.
rival(s)
enemy
competitor(s)
other side
challenger(s)
foe
contestant(s)
antagonist(s)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of animosity
Definition
a powerful dislike or hostility
There's a long history of animosity between the two nations.
Synonyms
hostility,
hate,
hatred,
resentment,
bitterness,
malice,
antagonism,
antipathy,
enmity,
acrimony,
rancour,
bad blood,
ill will,
animus,
malevolence,
virulence,
malignity
in the sense of antagonism
Definition
openly expressed hostility
There is much antagonism between the two teams.
Synonyms
hostility,
competition,
opposition,
conflict,
rivalry,
contention,
friction,
discord,
antipathy,
dissension
in the sense of antipathy
Definition
a feeling of strong dislike or hostility
She'd often spoken of her antipathy towards London.
Synonyms
hostility,
opposition,
disgust,
dislike,
hatred,
loathing,
distaste,
animosity,
aversion,
antagonism,
enmity,
rancour,
bad blood,
incompatibility,
ill will,
animus,
repulsion,
abhorrence,
repugnance,
odium (formal),
contrariety
Synonyms of 'opposition'
opposition
Explore 'opposition' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aversion
Definition
extreme dislike or disinclination
Many people have an aversion to insects.
Synonyms
hatred,
hate,
horror,
disgust,
hostility,
opposition,
dislike,
reluctance,
loathing,
distaste,
animosity,
revulsion,
antipathy,
repulsion,
abhorrence,
disinclination,
repugnance,
odium (formal),
detestation,
indisposition,
unwillingness
in the sense of competition
Definition
people against whom one competes
In this business you have to stay one step ahead of the competition.
Synonyms
opposition,
field,
rivals,
challengers
in the sense of obstruction
Definition
a person or thing that obstructs
Americans viewed the army as an obstruction to legitimate economic development.
Synonyms
hindrance,
stop,
check,
bar,
block,
difficulty,
barrier,
restriction,
handicap,
obstacle,
restraint,
deterrent,
stumbling block,
impediment,
trammel
in the sense of resistance
Definition
the act of resisting
In remote villages there is a resistance to change.