Opposing

Part of speech: adjective, verb

Definitions

1. Defined by the presence of conflicting forces or beliefs
2. Showing resistance or disagreement with a particular idea, action, or person
3. Exhibiting actions or attitudes that counteract or disapprove of something

Etymology: "Opposing" is the present participle of "oppose," so its story is really the story of the verb. The root sits in Latin "opponere," built from "ob," meaning "before" or "against," and "ponere," meaning "to put" or "place." Put together, the idea is literally placing something in front of you, like a barrier set in your path. That physical picture of an obstacle set across the way is the core of the word's meaning. The verb reached English from Old French "opposer," which carried the Latin sense of setting something against something else. Middle English speakers adopted it as "opposen," and the sense of physically blocking gradually gave way to the sense of resisting in argument or action. Today "opposing" describes sides, views, or forces that stand in direct conflict, such as opposing teams or opposing arguments.

Synonyms: resisting, contesting

Antonyms: supporting, endorsing