- op|pos´ing|ly
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–v.t.1. to be against; be in the way of; act, fight, or struggle against; try to hinder; resist: »
Many people opposed building a new highway because of the cost. A swamp opposed the advance of the army.
2. to set up against; place in the way of: »Let us oppose good nature to anger, and smiles to cross words.
3. to put in contrast: »Night is opposed to day. Love is opposed to hate.
4. to put in front of; cause to face: »to oppose one's finger to one's thumb.
–v.i.to be or act in opposition; create resistance: »to take arms against a sea of troubles And, by opposing, end them (Shakespeare).
╂[< Old French opposer < op- against + poser put, pose1]–op|pos´er, noun.–op|pos´ing|ly, adverb.Synonym Study transitive verb. 1 Oppose, resist, withstand mean to act or be against someone or something. Oppose implies setting oneself against a person or thing, especially an idea, plan, or other proposal, but does not suggest the nature, purpose, form, or effectiveness of the action or stand taken: »We opposed the plan because of the cost.
Resist implies making a stand and actively string against an attack or force of some kind: »She resisted all our efforts to make her change her mind.
Withstand implies holding firm against attack: »The bridge withstood the flood.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.