opposition Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
resistance.
- he encountered a general feeling of resistance from many citizens
- despite opposition from the newspapers he went ahead
noun the relation between opposed entities
oppositeness.
noun the act of hostile groups opposing each other
confrontation.
- the government was not ready for a confrontation with the unions
- the invaders encountered stiff opposition
noun a contestant that you are matched against
opposite; opponent.
noun a body of people united in opposing something
noun a direction opposite to another
noun an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
foeman; enemy; foe.
- a soldier must be prepared to kill his enemies
noun the major political party opposed to the party in office and prepared to replace it if elected
- Her Majesty's loyal opposition

F., fr. L. oppositio. See Opposite.

The act of opposing; an attempt to check, restrain, or defeat; resistance.
The counterpoise of so great an opposition. Shak.

Virtue which breaks through all opposition. Milton.
The state of being placed over against; situation so as to front something else. Milton.
Repugnance; contrariety of sentiment, interest, or purpose; antipathy. Shak.
That which opposes; an obstacle; specifically, the aggregate of persons or things opposing; hence, in politics and parliamentary practice, the party opposed to the party in power.
(Astron.) The situation of a heavenly body with respect to another when in the part of the heavens directly opposite to it; especially, the position of a planet or satellite when its longitude differs from that of the sun 180°; -- signified by the symbol as, Jupiter and Sun, opposition of Jupiter to the sun.
(Logic) The relation between two propositions when, having the same subject and predicate, they differ in quantity, or in quality, or in both; or between two propositions which have the same matter but a different form.