oppose
Take a stance against
To oppose is to stand against something—to resist, obstruct, or compete with it.
You can oppose a policy, a candidate, or an idea: She opposed the merger from the start.
Opposing forces face each other in conflict.
As opposed to introduces a contrast: I prefer tea, as opposed to coffee.
The adjective opposed emphasizes active resistance or fundamental incompatibility: They hold diametrically opposed views.
Resist or challenge openly
- withstandRemain intact despite pressure
- counteractNullify by opposing force
- thwartPrevent success of
- blockSolid mass, or impede
confront · impede · hinder · obstruct · rebuff · repel · fend off · stand against
Disagreement with authority
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- objectTangible entity or aim
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- contestOrganized competitive event
challenge · contradict · refute · rebut · take issue · demur · except · controvert
Violent disagreement or collision
- battleArmed military engagement
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- fightPhysical or verbal conflict
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
contend · war · feud · rivalry · hostility · antagonism · strife · friction
Official refusal to approve
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
- boycottOrganized economic protest
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- embargoOfficial prohibition on trade
blockade · picket · demonstration · rally · petition · campaign · lobby · obstruct
Direct opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
- polarityState of opposing forces
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
inverse · converse · contrary · reverse · antipode · foil · negation · contradiction
Organized resistance to power
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- insurgencyArmed uprising against authority
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- mutinyRevolt against authority
defiance · insurrection · subversion · dissidence · rebellion · sedition · guerrilla · revolutionary
defy
Resist or challenge openly
- withstandRemain intact despite pressure
- counteractNullify by opposing force
- thwartPrevent success of
block · confront · impede · hinder · obstruct · rebuff · repel · fend off · stand against · push back
dissent
Disagreement with authority
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- objectTangible entity or aim
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
contest · challenge · contradict · refute · rebut · take issue · demur · except · controvert · gainsay
clash
Violent disagreement or collision
struggle · contend · war · feud · rivalry · hostility · antagonism · strife · friction · confrontation
veto
Official refusal to approve
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
- boycottOrganized economic protest
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
embargo · blockade · picket · demonstration · rally · petition · campaign · lobby · obstruct · gridlock
antithesis
Direct opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
- polarityState of opposing forces
dichotomy · inverse · converse · contrary · reverse · antipode · foil · negation · contradiction · divergence
revolt
Organized resistance to power
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- insurgencyArmed uprising against authority
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
mutiny · defiance · insurrection · subversion · dissidence · rebellion · sedition · guerrilla · revolutionary · dissident
- disagreediffer, dispute, argue, object, deny
- disagreementsdisagree, argue, dispute, quarrel, argument
- opposeresist, defy, reject, refuse, fight
- resistanceresistance, defiance, resistance fighters, civil resistance, resist
- resistresist, defy, rebuff, refuse, reject
- Stand Upstand firm, stand ground, make a stand, hold firm, face up to
- polar oppositeComplete contrary in nature
- as opposed toIndicating contrast between alternatives
- opposite sexDifferent gender from yours
- opposite sidesLocations directly across
- opposite ends
- opposable thumbsDigits that press against fingers
opposite, opponent, opposition, opposed, opposing, opposes, unopposed, oppositely, oppositional