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opposite definition

op·po·site (äp′ə zit, -sit)

adjective

  1. set against, facing, or back to back; at the other end or side; in a contrary position or direction: often with to
  2. characterized by hostility or resistance
  3. different in every way; exactly contrary; antithetical
  4. Bot.
    1. growing in pairs, but separated by a stem
    2. having one part on the same radius as another, as a stamen in front of a petal

Etymology: OFr < L oppositus, pp. of opponere: see opponent

noun

anything opposed or opposite

adverb

on opposing sides or in an opposite position

  1. facing; across from
  2. Theater in a complementary role (of the opposite sex) to he played opposite her

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

opposite Synonyms

opposite

modif.

  1. Radically different

    contrary, antithetical, antithetic, reverse, inverse, converse, diametric, diametrical, antonymous, contrasting, contradictory, counter, conflicting, opposed, opposing, polar, poles apart, antipodal, antipodean, incompatible, irreconcilable; see also different 1.

    Antonyms same, synonymous, alike.

  2. In conflict

    adverse, inimical, hostile; see opposed, opposing 2.

  3. So situated as to seem to oppose

    facing, fronting, in front of, across from, on different sides, on opposite sides, in opposition to, on the other side, confronting, looking out on, against, front to front, back to back, nose to nose, on the farther side, retrograde, opposing, opposed, diametrical, vis-à-vis, en face (French), eyeball to eyeball*.

    Antonyms matched*, on the same side, side by side.


opposite

n.

contradiction, contrary, converse, direct opposite, opposition, foil, vice versa, antithesis, antipodes, antistrophe, antonym, counter term, counterpart, inverse, reverse, adverse, the opposite pole, the other extreme, the other side, the opposite term, the opposite force, the opposite idea; see also contrast 2.

Antonyms alike*, same*, a related thing, a similar thing.

opposite is applied to things that are symmetrically opposed in position, direction, character, etc. they sat at opposite ends of the table; the opposite sex; contrary adds to this connotations of conflict or antagonism they hold contrary views; antithetical implies diametrical opposition so that the contrasted things are as far apart or as different as is possible our interests are completely antithetical; reverse applies to that which moves or faces in the opposite direction the reverse side of a fabric; antonymous is used specifically of words that are so opposed in meaning that each contradicts, reverses, or negates the other good and bad are antonymous terms


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

opposite Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • argue: Then last year, having decided on war, they argued the opposite: that sanctions were not working.

Adjective modifier

  • polar: The exact polar opposite of the electronica inhabits the rest of the album.

Modifies a noun

  • direction: Two rotary lobes rotate in opposite directions within a housing.

Modifying Another Word

  • diametrically: This was diametrically opposite to what the theorists thought.

Noun used with modifier

  • lane: Crossing the road, we went along the country lane opposite.

Used with adjective complement

  • situate: In 1810 the mouth was situated almost opposite Aldrington church, close to the Hove border.
opposite usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

opposite quotes

The opposite of talking isn't listening. The opposite of talking is waiting.

-Lebowitz, Fran(ces Ann)

One must obey the man whom the city sets up in power in small things and in justice and in its opposite.

-Sophocles

opposite quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"opposite." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/opposite>

APA Style

opposite. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/opposite

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