ENGLISH
REFERENCE

oppose

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //əˈpoʊz// UK //əpˈəʊz// op·pose General-service

v. to disagree strongly with a plan, idea, or person and try to stop them. You use this when you are actively against something.

v. to disagree with or resist a proposal, policy, or person, often through active measures. Transitive in most contexts, though it can function intransitively in formal debate.


SIMPLE

Many local residents oppose the plan to build a new highway.

CONTEXTUAL

Several members of the committee decided to oppose the new law because they feared it would hurt small businesses.

COMPLEX

While the majority of the board supported the merger, a vocal minority continued to oppose the transition, citing concerns over long-term brand integrity and corporate culture.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English opposen, from Old French opposer, from Latin ob (“before, against”) + Medieval Latin pono (“to put”), taking the place of Latin opponere (“to oppose”).

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; it does not require a preposition like 'to' or 'against'.

Pitfall

they oppose against the planthey oppose the planOppose is a transitive verb and takes a direct object; do not add the preposition 'against'.

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