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Definitions

against the grain

ADJECTIVE
opposed/opposing
Synonyms
WEAK
allergic anti antipathetic antithetical antonymous at cross-purposes at odds averse battling clashing combating conflicting confronting contrary controverting counter crossing defending defensive denying disagreeing disputed disputing dissentient enemy exposing facing gainsaying hostile in opposition incompatible inimical irreconcilable objecting obstructive opposite protesting repelling restrictive rival up against warring
Antonyms
WEAK
aiding assisting compatible helping similar
ADJECTIVE
oppositional
Synonyms
WEAK
adversarial adverse allergic antagonistic anti antipathetic antithetical antonymous at cross-purposes at odds averse battling clashing combating conflicting confronting contrary controverting counter crossing defending defensive denying disagreeing disputed disputing dissentient enemy exposing facing gainsaying hostile in opposition incompatible inimical irreconcilable objecting obstructive opposed opposite protesting repelling restrictive rival up against warring
ADJECTIVE
unwilling
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afraid averse compelled evasive forced loath reluctant resistant unenthusiastic
WEAK
against backward begrudging contrary demurring disinclined disobliging grudging hesitating indisposed indocile involuntary laggard malcontent opposed recalcitrant refractory remiss shrinking shy slack slow unaccommodating uncheerful uncooperative uneager uninclined unobliging unready unwishful wayward
Antonyms
STRONGEST
eager enthusiastic ready willing
WEAK
prepared

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Earlier this month, Poland’s central bank went against the grain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Many of our best picks resulted from a willingness to go against the grain with out-of-favor stocks—and impeccable timing.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Where medical experts find mountains of studies and years of data to be conclusive, Kennedy goes zooming against the grain, for little apparent reason.

From Slate • Nov. 7, 2024

I've always followed my heart in concepts that are a little against the grain.

From Salon • Aug. 4, 2024

It goes some- how against the grain to learn that cost-benefit analyses can be done neatly on lakes, meadows, nesting gannets, even whole oceans.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas