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Opposition synonyms

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conflict
Opposition between characters or forces in a work of drama or fiction, especially when motivating or shaping the action of the plot.
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  1. Opposition between characters or forces in a work of drama or fiction, especially when motivating or shaping the action of the plot.
  2. A fight or struggle, esp. a protracted one; war
  3. A state of open, often prolonged fighting; a battle or war.
clash
A disagreement or state of opposition:
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  1. A disagreement or state of opposition:
  2. A violent conflict or confrontation.
  3. A loud, harsh noise, such as that made by two metal objects in collision.
strife
A conflict or quarrel:
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  1. A conflict or quarrel:
  2. Contention or competition between rivals.
  3. The act or state of fighting or quarreling, esp. bitterly; struggle; conflict
combat
Contention or strife:
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  1. Contention or strife:
  2. Fighting, especially with weapons:
  3. Any struggle or conflict; strife
contention
A statement or point that one argues for as true or valid
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  1. A statement or point that one argues for as true or valid
  2. A striving to win in competition; rivalry:
  3. The act of contending; strife, struggle, controversy, dispute, quarrel, etc.
competition
(Ecol.) The struggle among individual organisms for food, water, space, etc. when the available supply is limited
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  1. (Ecol.) The struggle among individual organisms for food, water, space, etc. when the available supply is limited
  2. Rivalry, as between two individuals or entities, a quest to secure an advantage over another; in business, rivalry for customers or a share of the marketplace. See unfair competition. Rivalry, as between two individuals or entities, a quest to secure an advantage over another; in business, rivalry for customers or a share of the marketplace. See unfair competition.
  3. A test of skill or ability; a contest:
facing
The trimmings, collar, and cuffs of certain military coats
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  1. The trimmings, collar, and cuffs of certain military coats
  2. A lining, often decorative, sewn on the inside edge of a garment or on a part that is turned back, as a collar
  3. (Metalworking) A powdered substance, such as charcoal or bituminous coal, applied to the face of a mould, or mixed with the sand that forms it, to give a fine smooth surface to the casting.
meeting
A series of horse or dog races held during a period of days at a certain track
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  1. A series of horse or dog races held during a period of days at a certain track
  2. The act or process or an instance of coming together; an encounter.
  3. An encounter between people, even accidental.
stemming
A process for removing the inflexional, and sometimes derivational, affixes from words.
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  1. A process for removing the inflexional, and sometimes derivational, affixes from words.
  2. (Nautical) Movement against a current, especially a tidal current.
  3. (Rock climbing) The technique of bridging between two holds with hands and/or feet, applying forces to each in opposing directions in order to brace oneself in position.
struggle
Strife, contention, or combat:
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  1. Strife, contention, or combat:
  2. Conflict; strife; contention
  3. The act of struggling:
encounter
A meeting with another, esp. when unexpected or by chance
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  1. A meeting with another, esp. when unexpected or by chance
  2. A meeting, especially one that is unplanned, unexpected, or brief:
  3. A direct meeting, as in conflict or battle
resistance
(Medicine) The inability of a cell, tissue, or organ to respond to a certain hormone, drug, or other biologically active substance in a desired way:
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  1. (Medicine) The inability of a cell, tissue, or organ to respond to a certain hormone, drug, or other biologically active substance in a desired way:
  2. An underground organization engaged in a struggle for national liberation in a country under military or totalitarian occupation.
  3. An underground organization engaged in a struggle for liberation from forceful occupation.
defense
(Sports) The act or an instance of defending a championship against a challenger:
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  1. (Sports) The act or an instance of defending a championship against a challenger:
  2. The act or power of defending, or guarding against attack, harm, or danger
  3. A fact or law that provides a full or partial exoneration of the defendant against the charges or claims made in a lawsuit or prosecution.
counterattack
A return attack.
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  1. A return attack.
  2. An attack made in opposition to, or in reprisal for, another attack
outflanking
The act of one who outflanks.
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  1. The act of one who outflanks.
hostilities
Plural form of hostility
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  1. Plural form of hostility
  2. Acts of war
war
The period of such conflict.
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  1. The period of such conflict.
  2. Open armed conflict between countries or between factions within the same country
  3. A condition of active antagonism or contention:
warfare
Military operations marked by a specific characteristic:
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  1. Military operations marked by a specific characteristic:
  2. Conflict or struggle of any kind
  3. The action of waging war; armed conflict
skirmish
A type of outdoor military style game using paintball or similar weapons.
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  1. A type of outdoor military style game using paintball or similar weapons.
  2. A minor battle in war, as one between small forces or between large forces avoiding direct conflict.
  3. (Military) A brief battle between small groups, usually part of a longer or larger battle or war.
brush
(Elec.) A piece, plate, rod, or bundle of carbon, copper, etc. used as a conductor between an external circuit and a revolving part, as in a motor
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  1. (Elec.) A piece, plate, rod, or bundle of carbon, copper, etc. used as a conductor between an external circuit and a revolving part, as in a motor
  2. A device having bristles, hairs, or wires fastened into a hard back, with or without a handle attached: brushes are used for cleaning, polishing, painting, smoothing the hair, etc.
  3. An instance of contact with something undesirable or dangerous:
fray
A heated dispute or intensely competitive situation:
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  1. A heated dispute or intensely competitive situation:
  2. A noisy quarrel or fight; brawl
  3. A military engagement; a battle.
engagement
The action of engaging or the state of being engaged:
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  1. The action of engaging or the state of being engaged:
  2. A specific, often limited, period of employment:
  3. Employment, especially for a specified time:
action
The state or process of acting or doing:
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  1. The state or process of acting or doing:
  2. Organized activity to accomplish an objective:
  3. An engagement between troops or ships:
duel
A formal fight between two persons armed with deadly weapons: it is prearranged and witnessed by two others (called seconds), each representing a combatant
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  1. A formal fight between two persons armed with deadly weapons: it is prearranged and witnessed by two others (called seconds), each representing a combatant
collision
A clash or conflict of opinions, interests, etc.
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  1. A clash or conflict of opinions, interests, etc.
  2. A condition of opposition or conflict between two or more people or things:
  3. The act of colliding, or coming together with sudden, violent force
contest
A struggle for superiority or victory between rivals:
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  1. A struggle for superiority or victory between rivals:
  2. Any race, game, debate, etc. in which individuals or teams compete with one another to determine the winner
  3. A fight, struggle, conflict, or controversy
race
A series of such competitions for horses, cars, etc. on a regular course
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  1. A series of such competitions for horses, cars, etc. on a regular course
  2. Any of several extensive human populations associated with broadly defined regions of the world and distinguished from one another on the basis of inheritable physical characteristics, traditionally conceived as including such traits as pigmentation, hair texture, and facial features. Because the number of genes responsible for such physical variations is tiny in comparison to the size of the human genome and because genetic variation among members of a traditionally recognized racial group is generally as great as between two such groups, most scientists now consider race to be primarily a social rather than a scientific concept.
  3. A series of such competitions held at a specified time on a regular course:
handicap
(Sometimes considered offensive) The disadvantage itself, in particular physical or mental disadvantages of people.
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  1. (Sometimes considered offensive) The disadvantage itself, in particular physical or mental disadvantages of people.
  2. (Sports & Games) A race or contest in which contestants are given advantages or compensations to equalize the chances of winning.
  3. An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race (other contest of skill) to the competitor possessing disadvantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success.
check
A draft signed by a person (the drawer or maker) that directs a bank (the drawee) to pay, on demand and without conditions, a specific sum of money to another person (the payee). Usually the funds are withdrawn from an account or a deposit that the drawer or maker has with the bank. Also called cheque. A draft signed by a person (the drawer or maker) that directs a bank (the drawee) to pay, on demand and without conditions, a specific sum of money to another person (the payee). Usually the funds are withdrawn from an account or a deposit that the drawer or maker has with the bank. Also called cheque.
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  1. A draft signed by a person (the drawer or maker) that directs a bank (the drawee) to pay, on demand and without conditions, a specific sum of money to another person (the payee). Usually the funds are withdrawn from an account or a deposit that the drawer or maker has with the bank. Also called cheque. A draft signed by a person (the drawer or maker) that directs a bank (the drawee) to pay, on demand and without conditions, a specific sum of money to another person (the payee). Usually the funds are withdrawn from an account or a deposit that the drawer or maker has with the bank. Also called cheque.
counteraction
An act of retaliation; a counterattack
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  1. An act of retaliation; a counterattack
  2. Any action in opposition to a previous action.
contradiction
A condition in which things tend to be contrary to each other; inconsistency; discrepancy
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  1. A condition in which things tend to be contrary to each other; inconsistency; discrepancy
  2. A person, thing, or statement having contradictory elements or qualities
  3. One that contains elements that oppose or conflict with one another:
debate
A formal contest of skill in reasoned argument, with two teams taking opposite sides of a specified question
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  1. A formal contest of skill in reasoned argument, with two teams taking opposite sides of a specified question
  2. Discussion or consideration of opposing reasons; argument about or deliberation on a question
  3. (Obsolete) Conflict; strife.
obstruction
Something that obstructs; an obstacle:
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  1. Something that obstructs; an obstacle:
  2. (Sports) The act of impeding another player in violation of the rules, as when a player impedes the progress of an opponent not in possession of the puck in ice hockey.
  3. The act of obstructing:
thwart
A rower's seat extending across a boat
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  1. A rower's seat extending across a boat
  2. A seat across a boat on which a rower may sit.
dislike
Something disliked
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  1. Something disliked
  2. An attitude or a feeling of distaste or aversion.
repugnance
Inconsistency or contradiction
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  1. Inconsistency or contradiction
  2. Extreme dislike or distaste; aversion; antipathy
  3. (Logic) The relationship of contradictory terms; inconsistency.
hostility
The state of being hostile; antagonism or enmity.
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  1. The state of being hostile; antagonism or enmity.
  2. An expression of enmity and ill will; hostile act
  3. A feeling of enmity, ill will, unfriendliness, etc.; antagonism
antagonism
A strong natural dislike or hatred; antipathy.
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  1. A strong natural dislike or hatred; antipathy.
  2. Hostility that results in active resistance, opposition, or contentiousness.
  3. The condition of being an opposing principle, force, or factor:
defiance
Intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude; readiness to contend or resist.
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  1. Intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude; readiness to contend or resist.
  2. The feeling, or spirit of being defiant.
  3. The act or an example of defying; bold resistance to an opposing force or authority.
antipathy
The object of such dislike
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  1. The object of such dislike
  2. (Obs.) An opposition in character, nature, tendency, etc.
  3. Contrariety or opposition in feeling; settled aversion or dislike; repugnance; distaste.
abhorrence
Something abhorred; something repugnant
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  1. Something abhorred; something repugnant
  2. One that is disgusting, loathsome, or repellent.
  3. A feeling of repugnance or loathing.
detestation
One that is detested.
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  1. One that is detested.
  2. Strong dislike or hatred; abhorrence.
  3. Intense dislike or hatred; loathing
aversion
The act or fact of averting:
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  1. The act or fact of averting:
  2. An intense or definite dislike; antipathy; repugnance
  3. The cause or object of such a feeling:
constraint
The state of being restricted or confined within prescribed bounds:
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  1. The state of being restricted or confined within prescribed bounds:
  2. (Mathematics) A condition that a solution to an optimization problem must satisfy.
  3. The threat or use of force to prevent, restrict, or dictate the action or thought of others.
restriction
A restricting or being restricted
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  1. A restricting or being restricted
  2. Something that restricts; a regulation or limitation:
  3. The action of restricting or the state of being restricted:
restraint
A device or other means of limiting movement, used to prevent the infliction of harm to self or others.
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  1. A device or other means of limiting movement, used to prevent the infliction of harm to self or others.
  2. Control of the expression of one's feelings; constraint:
  3. The condition of being restrained, especially the condition of losing one's freedom:
hindrance
The act of hindering:
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  1. The act of hindering:
  2. Something which hinders: something that holds back or causes problems with something else.
  3. The state or act of hindering something
tyranny
The office, authority, or jurisdiction of an absolute ruler:
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  1. The office, authority, or jurisdiction of an absolute ruler:
  2. Unjust or oppressive governmental power:
  3. Very cruel and unjust use of power or authority
misrule
The state of being ruled badly; disorder, lawlessness, anarchy. [from 15th c.]
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  1. The state of being ruled badly; disorder, lawlessness, anarchy. [from 15th c.]
  2. Disorder or lawless confusion.
  3. Inept or unwise rule; misgovernment.
discord
Lack of agreement among persons, groups, or things.
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  1. Lack of agreement among persons, groups, or things.
  2. Lack of concord; disagreement; dissension; conflict
  3. Tension or strife resulting from a lack of agreement; dissension.
incompatibility
The quality or state of being incompatible; inconsistency; irreconcilableness.
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  1. The quality or state of being incompatible; inconsistency; irreconcilableness.
  2. Mutually exclusive or antagonistic qualities or things.
distaste
A feeling of dislike, aversion or antipathy.
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  1. A feeling of dislike, aversion or antipathy.
  2. Dislike or aversion.
  3. Alienation of affection; displeasure; anger.
disfavor
US spelling of disfavour.
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  1. US spelling of disfavour.
  2. The state of being disliked or disapproved of
  3. Unfavorable opinion or regard; disapproval:
dissatisfaction
The cause of such feelings
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  1. The cause of such feelings
  2. Unhappiness or discontent
  3. The condition or feeling of being displeased or unsatisfied; discontent.
discontent
A discontented person. (see also malcontent).
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  1. A discontented person. (see also malcontent).
  2. A person who is discontented, esp. with social or political norms or conditions
  3. Dissatisfaction.
displeasure
That which displeases; cause of irritation or annoyance; offence; injury.
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  1. That which displeases; cause of irritation or annoyance; offence; injury.
  2. (Archaic) Discomfort, sorrow, trouble, etc.
  3. The fact or feeling of being displeased; dissatisfaction, disapproval, annoyance, etc.
irritation
The act of irritating:
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  1. The act of irritating:
  2. The fact or condition of being irritated
  3. The condition of being irritated; vexation:
offense
Any violation of the law for which the judicial code demands there be a penalty, including misdemeanors and felonies. See also crime. Any violation of the law for which the judicial code demands there be a penalty, including misdemeanors and felonies. See also crime.
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  1. Any violation of the law for which the judicial code demands there be a penalty, including misdemeanors and felonies. See also crime. Any violation of the law for which the judicial code demands there be a penalty, including misdemeanors and felonies. See also crime.
  2. The act of causing anger, resentment, displeasure, or affront.
  3. The condition of being offended, esp. of feeling hurt, resentful, or angry; umbrage
chagrin
A feeling of embarrassment or distress because one has failed or been disappointed
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  1. A feeling of embarrassment or distress because one has failed or been disappointed
  2. A keen feeling of mental unease, as of annoyance or embarrassment, caused by failure, disappointment, or a disconcerting event:
humiliation
The state of being humiliated or disgraced; shame.
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  1. The state of being humiliated or disgraced; shame.
  2. The act of humiliating; degradation.
  3. A humiliating condition or circumstance.
mortification
Death or decay of living tissue; gangrene.
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  1. Death or decay of living tissue; gangrene.
  2. A feeling of shame, humiliation, or wounded pride.
  3. Discipline of the body and the appetites by self-denial or self-inflicted privation, especially when undertaken for religious reasons.
disagreement
Failure to agree; difference; incongruity; discrepancy
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  1. Failure to agree; difference; incongruity; discrepancy
  2. Refusal to agree or comply
  3. A failure or refusal to agree.
anger
(Obs.) Pain or trouble
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  1. (Obs.) Pain or trouble
  2. A strong feeling of displeasure or hostility.
  3. A feeling of displeasure resulting from injury, mistreatment, opposition, etc., and usually showing itself in a desire to fight back at the supposed cause of this feeling
loathing
Great dislike; abhorrence.
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  1. Great dislike; abhorrence.
  2. Sense of revulsion, distaste, detestation, extreme hatred or dislike.
  3. Intense dislike, disgust, or hatred; abhorrence
disapproval
Unfavorable opinion; condemnation
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  1. Unfavorable opinion; condemnation
  2. The act of disapproving, an expression of condemnation.
  3. Failure or refusal to approve; rejection
complaint
(Law) A formal statement initiating a lawsuit by specifying the facts and legal grounds for the relief sought.
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  1. (Law) A formal statement initiating a lawsuit by specifying the facts and legal grounds for the relief sought.
  2. (Law) A pleading setting forth the plaintiff's case or cause of action; formal charge or accusation
  3. An expression of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.
inconvenience
Anything inconvenient
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  1. Anything inconvenient
  2. Something inconvenient.
  3. The quality or state of being inconvenient; lack of comfort, ease, etc.; bother; trouble
antagonist
One who opposes and contends against another; an adversary.
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  1. One who opposes and contends against another; an adversary.
  2. A substance in the body, or a drug, that counteracts or blocks the effect of another substance or drug (called the agonist)
  3. The principal character in opposition to the protagonist or hero of a narrative or drama.
disputant
A participant in a dispute.
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  1. A participant in a dispute.
  2. One engaged in a dispute.
  3. A person who disputes or debates
adversary
A person who opposes or fights against another; opponent; enemy
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  1. A person who opposes or fights against another; opponent; enemy
  2. An opponent, especially an opposing attorney or party in an action. An opponent, especially an opposing attorney or party in an action.
  3. An opponent; an enemy.
renitence
Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster's Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.
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  1. Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster's Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.
  2. The state or quality of being renitent; resistance; reluctance.
renitency
Alternative form of renitence.
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  1. Alternative form of renitence.
resistance
Lack of normal response to a biologically active compound such as a hormone:
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  1. Lack of normal response to a biologically active compound such as a hormone:
  2. (Biology) Ability (of an organism, tissue, or cell) to withstand a destructive agent or condition such as a chemical compound, a disease agent, or an environmental stressor:
  3. Thermal resistance.
antagonism
The state of being opposed or hostile to another or to each other; opposition or hostility
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  1. The state of being opposed or hostile to another or to each other; opposition or hostility
  2. A strong natural dislike or hatred; antipathy.
  3. The condition of being an opposing principle, force, or factor:
antithesis
The direct or exact opposite:
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  1. The direct or exact opposite:
  2. The second stage of the Hegelian dialectic process, representing the opposite of the thesis.
  3. A figure of speech in which sharply contrasting ideas are juxtaposed in a balanced or parallel phrase or grammatical structure, as in
contradiction
A condition in which things tend to be contrary to each other; inconsistency; discrepancy
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  1. A condition in which things tend to be contrary to each other; inconsistency; discrepancy
  2. One that contains elements that oppose or conflict with one another:
  3. The state of being contradicted:
contradistinction
Distinction by contrast
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  1. Distinction by contrast
  2. Distinction by contrast; the displaying of something, A, to show what B is not.
  3. Distinction by contrasting or opposing qualities.
contraposition
A placing opposite or over against; antithesis; contrast
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  1. A placing opposite or over against; antithesis; contrast
  2. (Logic) The statement of the form "if not Q then not P", given the statement "if P then Q".
  3. An opposite position; antithesis.
contrariety
Anything that is contrary; inconsistency or discrepancy
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  1. Anything that is contrary; inconsistency or discrepancy
  2. Something that is contrary.
  3. The condition or quality of being contrary
contrariness
The state of being contrary
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  1. The state of being contrary
polarity
The condition of having poles or being aligned with or directed toward poles, especially magnetic or electric poles.
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  1. The condition of having poles or being aligned with or directed toward poles, especially magnetic or electric poles.
  2. Intrinsic polar separation, alignment, or orientation, especially of a physical property:
  3. The condition of being positive or negative with respect to some reference point or object, as electricity
adversary
A person who opposes or fights against another; opponent; enemy
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  1. A person who opposes or fights against another; opponent; enemy
  2. An opponent, especially an opposing attorney or party in an action. An opponent, especially an opposing attorney or party in an action.
  3. An opponent; an enemy.
antagonist
A muscle that opposes the action of another muscle, as by relaxing while the other one contracts, thereby producing smooth, coordinated movement.
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  1. A muscle that opposes the action of another muscle, as by relaxing while the other one contracts, thereby producing smooth, coordinated movement.
  2. The principal character in opposition to the protagonist or hero of a narrative or drama.
opponent
One that opposes another or others, as in a battle, contest, or debate:
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  1. One that opposes another or others, as in a battle, contest, or debate:
opposer
One who opposes, one who shows opposition
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  1. One who opposes, one who shows opposition
oppositionist
A member of an opposition.
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  1. A member of an opposition.
  2. A person who opposes; especially a member of an official opposition
resister
A person who resists going along with others in a common course of action.
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  1. A person who resists going along with others in a common course of action.
  2. A person who fights against a government.
Find another word for opposition. In this page you can discover 122 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for opposition, like: conflict, clash, strife, combat, contention, competition, facing, confronting, coping with, breasting and meeting.

Sentence Examples

  • He's the opposition, remember?

  • They view the opposition by others to the actions of their country as treason, or at least, inexplicably self-destructive.

  • In this, despite bitter opposition, he made many significant changes.

  • Although there was cultural opposition in India to Borlaug's methods and seeds, the famine was so bad by 1965 that the government stepped in and urged the project forward.

  • They view individual liberty as a threat, new political ideas as subversion, and political opposition as treason.

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Words near opposition in the Thesaurus