oppositional

[op-uh-zish-uh-nl] / ˌɒp əˈzɪʃ ə nl /

ADJECTIVE

opposing

Synonyms

WEAK

adversarial adverse against the grain 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

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.

Cool became a mainstream commodity in the 1950s with the oppositional tantrums of James Dean.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

From its inception, the facility faced widespread public opposition, including mass protests, forest defense occupations, and hundreds of hours of oppositional public comment.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2025

“Helen was just so weird and incorporated so many strange, oppositional things at the same time,” says Knightley, who also liked the idea of working close to home.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2024

The threats are part of an oppositional strategy that has ramped up in recent weeks, as reported by NBC News.

From Salon • Oct. 23, 2024

It brought together the old revolutionary rhetoric, even deploying some familiar Jeffersonian language, with all the oppositional energy of the Whig tradition, then hurled it at assumption as the new incarnation of foreign domination.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis