againstagainst /əˈgɛnst/ ●●● S1 W1 preposition 1
DISAGREEMENT opposed to or disagreeing with an idea, belief, proposal, etc.: There were 10 votes for and 15 against the motion. I’m against all forms of hunting. Everyone was against closing the factory. It’s against my principles to borrow money (=I don’t believe it is right to borrow money).against somebody’s wishes/will (=when someone does not want something to happen or be done) He dropped out of college against his parents’ wishes. You can’t do that! It’s against the law (=illegal).2FIGHT/COMPETE fighting or competing with another person, team, country, etc.: He was injured in the game against the Cowboys. We’ll be competing against some of the best companies in Europe. the fight against terrorism3DISADVANTAGE in a way that has a bad effect on someone or gives him or her a disadvantage: discrimination against women Your lack of experience could count against (=be a disadvantage to) you. The planning regulations tend to work against (=be a disadvantage to) smaller companies.4HIT pushing, hitting, or rubbing another surface: The rain drummed against the window. The cat rubbed her head against my legs.5TOUCHING next to and touching an upright surface, especially for support: a ladder propped up against the wall The younger policeman was leaning against the desk.6OPPOSITE DIRECTION in the opposite direction of something OPP with: We had to sail against the wind. swimming against the current7be/come up against something to have to deal with a difficult opponent or problem: We were up against some tough competition, but we won.8have something against somebody/something to dislike or disapprove of someone or something: I have nothing against (=I do not disapprove of) people making lots of money. What have you got against cats? (=Why don’t you like cats?)9SEEN IN FRONT OF seen or shown with something else behind or as a background: The green looks great against the orange.10CONSIDERED WITH used to describe something in relation to other events that are happening at the same time: The reforms were introduced against a background of social unrest.11COMPARISON in comparison with someone or something: She checked the contents of the box against the list.12PROTECTION providing protection from harm or damage: Eating good food is good insurance against sickness.
DISAGREEMENT opposed to or disagreeing with an idea, belief, proposal, etc.: There were 10 votes for and 15 against the motion. I’m against all forms of hunting. Everyone was against closing the factory. It’s against my principles to borrow money (=I don’t believe it is right to borrow money).against somebody’s wishes/will (=when someone does not want something to happen or be done) He dropped out of college against his parents’ wishes. You can’t do that! It’s against the law (=illegal).2FIGHT/COMPETE fighting or competing with another person, team, country, etc.: He was injured in the game against the Cowboys. We’ll be competing against some of the best companies in Europe. the fight against terrorism3DISADVANTAGE in a way that has a bad effect on someone or gives him or her a disadvantage: discrimination against women Your lack of experience could count against (=be a disadvantage to) you. The planning regulations tend to work against (=be a disadvantage to) smaller companies.4HIT pushing, hitting, or rubbing another surface: The rain drummed against the window. The cat rubbed her head against my legs.5TOUCHING next to and touching an upright surface, especially for support: a ladder propped up against the wall The younger policeman was leaning against the desk.6OPPOSITE DIRECTION in the opposite direction of something OPP with: We had to sail against the wind. swimming against the current7be/come up against something to have to deal with a difficult opponent or problem: We were up against some tough competition, but we won.8have something against somebody/something to dislike or disapprove of someone or something: I have nothing against (=I do not disapprove of) people making lots of money. What have you got against cats? (=Why don’t you like cats?)9SEEN IN FRONT OF seen or shown with something else behind or as a background: The green looks great against the orange.10CONSIDERED WITH used to describe something in relation to other events that are happening at the same time: The reforms were introduced against a background of social unrest.11COMPARISON in comparison with someone or something: She checked the contents of the box against the list.12PROTECTION providing protection from harm or damage: Eating good food is good insurance against sickness.