opposed
/əˈpəʊzd/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈpəʊzd/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈpōzd/ (ame, mw)
opposed — adjective
- opposedpositive
- more opposedcomparative
- most opposedsuperlative
1. used to show that one thing, not another, is the real choice or point of compari
used to show that one thing, not another, is the real choice or point of comparison
The cafe serves full meals, as opposed to coffee and cake only.
fixed phrase: as opposed to
Nina works from home, as opposed to driving to Taipei daily.
as opposed to + -ing form
This class teaches speaking, as opposed to only memorizing grammar rules.
The rule targets plastic bags, as opposed to all paper packaging.
We visited in spring, as opposed to waiting for the summer crowds.
- rather than
is the closest everyday equivalent
- instead of
more directly suggests replacing one thing with another
- unlike
compares two things, but does not always present a choice
文法句型
as opposed to something
as opposed to doing something
as opposed to only ...
用法筆記
Fixed in the phrase 'as opposed to', especially in writing and careful speech. It marks contrast between two options and does not mean personal disagreement like adjective/2.
常見錯誤
2. against a plan, rule, or change because you think it should not happen
against a plan, rule, or change because you think it should not happen
Many parents were opposed to cutting art classes at the school.
be opposed to + change
The union remained opposed to longer shifts in the factory.
remain opposed to + proposal
Several doctors are strongly opposed to selling cigarettes near hospitals.
From the start, our neighbors were opposed to the new parking tower.
Although young, Eva was opposed to closing the town library.
- against
is the simplest and most common everyday equivalent
- hostile to
sounds stronger and can suggest anger
- resistant to
often suggests unwillingness to accept change
- objecting to
focuses on speaking or arguing against something
- supportive of
shows approval and willingness to help
- in favor of
is common for officially backing an idea or plan
- open to
suggests willingness to consider the change
文法句型
be opposed to the plan
strongly opposed to change
remain opposed to something
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person, group, or institution, and the 'to' phrase usually names a proposal, rule, building project, or social change. Distinguish from adjective/3, which compares two things instead of showing resistance to one of them.
常見錯誤
3. very different from another thing, so the two cannot easily fit together
very different from another thing, so the two cannot easily fit together
The two reports reached opposed conclusions about the factory fire.
collocation: opposed conclusions
By noon, wind and tide were opposed, slowing the small fishing boat.
be opposed to forces moving differently
The sisters had opposed tastes in music and never shared headphones.
At dinner, Mia and Owen defended opposed views on screen time.
The teams came from opposed traditions of training and diet.
- contrary
is slightly more formal and often stresses a clear clash
- conflicting
stresses that the two sides cannot both work at once
- different
is broader and does not always suggest tension
- contrasting
often focuses on visible difference rather than conflict
文法句型
be opposed to another idea
opposed views
opposed interests
用法筆記
Often used with nouns such as views, interests, forces, and traditions, or after be to compare two things. Distinguish from adjective/2, where a person or group actively rejects a plan or policy.
常見錯誤
4. placed on different sides so that the two things face one another
placed on different sides so that the two things face one another
Two opposed doors stood open at the end of the narrow hall.
collocation: opposed doors
In the old church, opposed windows sent light across the floor.
collocation: opposed windows
The dancers formed two opposed lines before the music began.
Opposed chairs stood by the fireplace, with a small table between them.
On the bridge, opposed statues looked across the river at each other.
- opposite
is the usual everyday word
- facing
more directly describes looking toward each other
- across from
is common in spoken English for position
- adjacent
means next to each other rather than across
- side-by-side
places things beside each other, not facing
文法句型
opposed doors
opposed windows
opposed lines
用法筆記
Mostly used in formal descriptions of rooms, buildings, pictures, or dance positions. Distinguish from adjective/3, which is about contrast in ideas or qualities rather than physical position.