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up against it

ADJECTIVE
desperate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
despondent forlorn futile sad vain
STRONG
downcast goner
WEAK
at end of one's rope back to the wall can't win dead duck despairing desponding gone hard up in the soup in the toilet inconsolable irrecoverable irremediable irretrievable no chance no-win running out of time sunk up the creek useless wretched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful happy hopeful joyful
WEAK
calm confident content contented satisfactory satisfied secure unworried

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.

Other railroads have lined up against it, saying that the rail industry is consolidated enough.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

But it wasn’t investing, it was gambling, and potent social forces were lined up against it, including Wall Street.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

It’s also difficult to gauge how many of Iran’s 93 million people despise the government enough to rise up against it.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

But since we know what that toothy nemesis is capable of, we almost feel sorry for the soldiers-for-hire that go up against it.

From Salon • Aug. 5, 2025

The crisscross metal fence around the apartment we rent sags in the middle from the weather, from the weight of too many kids leaning up against it, from the neglect of the owner.

From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na