opposing force
compound.compound. a person, group, or power that works against another one to stop it or slow it down.
compound. a person, group, or physical power that acts in opposition to another. In physics, it refers to a force acting in the opposite direction to another; in social or military contexts, it refers to an adversary or competing influence.
The wind was a strong opposing force as we cycled home.
The new law passed quickly because there was no significant opposing force in the government.
The architect had to calculate the opposing force of the structural supports to ensure the bridge could withstand high-speed winds.
often used in technical contexts like physics or in formal descriptions of political and military conflict.
useful for bridging the gap between literal physical science and figurative social science; contrast with 'enemy' to show a more neutral, functional relationship.