Definitions

up against

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opposed adj.
opposed/opposing adj.
oppositional adj.

ADJECTIVE

opposed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anti antithetical averse disputed hostile inimical opposing

STRONG

battling clashing combating conflicting confronting controverting counter crossing defending denying disagreeing disputing exposing facing gainsaying objecting protesting repelling rival warring

WEAK

against allergic antipathetic antonymous at cross-purposes at odds contrary defensive dissentient enemy in opposition incompatible irreconcilable obstructive opposite restrictive

Antonyms

STRONGEST

friendly kind

WEAK

in favor of

ADJECTIVE

opposed/opposing

Synonyms

WEAK

against the grain 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 warring

Antonyms

WEAK

aiding assisting compatible helping similar

ADJECTIVE

oppositional

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 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.

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up against

Attempts to simply talk up the yen were running up against the law of diminishing returns.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

I once walked past the gate just before four o'clock and everyone was pressed up against it, ready to run.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

But rigorous science takes time, and they’re up against a public that has lost patience with the traditional drug approval model — and a market that is happy to provide alternatives.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

As someone who sees a lot of marketing writing on LinkedIn, I have to ask: How do CMOs stack up against other corporate leaders when it comes to AI posting?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

We backed up against the edge of the road as he rode past us, the horse’s hooves spewing mud and clay.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff

up against

Example Sentences

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