opposition
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1 disagreement or resistance (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatestrong disagreement with a plan, idea, or person.
the action of resisting or disagreeing with a proposal, policy, or person. Often used with the preposition 'to'.
ExampleThe new tax met with strong opposition from local business owners.
ExampleThe proposed development faced fierce opposition from environmental groups, who argued that the construction would destroy a vital local ecosystem.
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2 political rivals (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Politicsthe political parties that are not in power and disagree with the government.
the main political party or group of parties that is not in government and opposes its policies.
ExampleThe leader of the opposition criticized the prime minister's new health policy.
ExampleAfter the election, the former ruling party found itself in opposition, struggling to maintain a unified voice against the new administration's reforms.
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3 contrast or opposite (n.) C1 Advanced Academica state of being completely different or opposite to something else.
a state of contrast or antithesis between two things.
ExampleThere is a clear opposition between his words and his actions.
ExampleThe author explores the binary opposition between urban decay and rural innocence throughout the first half of the novel.
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4 astronomical alignment (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Sciencewhen two planets or stars are on opposite sides of the Earth.
the position of two celestial bodies when they are 180 degrees apart as viewed from Earth.
ExampleMars is in opposition this month, making it look very bright in the night sky.
ExampleDuring opposition, a planet is at its closest point to Earth, providing astronomers with an ideal window for high-resolution observation.
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5 legal challenge (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Lawa formal process to stop a trademark or patent from being registered.
a formal proceeding in intellectual property law where a party seeks to prevent the registration of a trademark or patent.
ExampleThe company filed an opposition to prevent their rival from using a similar logo.
ExampleThe legal team prepared a formal notice of opposition, citing several prior registrations that would likely cause consumer confusion.
From Middle English opposicioun, from Old French oposicion (whence French opposition), from Late Latin oppositiō, translating Ancient Greek ἀντίθεσις (antíthesis), from the past participle stem of classical Latin oppōnō (“I set against”). Equivalent to oppose + -ition.