opposition

Everyday

1. Opposition is strong disagreement with a plan or idea, often shown by speaking or acting against it. tree →
2. The opposition is the team or player you are playing against. tree →
3. (politics) The Opposition is the parties in parliament that are not in the government, especially the biggest one, which questions and challenges the government. tree →
4. Opposition is being opposite or against something («in opposition to»). tree →

In the lessons

In politics lessons in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the Leader of the Opposition and the Opposition party challenge the Prime Minister. In sport, «the opposition» are the other team. In everyday life, there is opposition to a new rule when many people disagree. In maths and science, opposition is rare as a technical word.

Examples

• There was strong opposition to closing the library. tree →
• The opposition scored in the last minute. tree →
• The Leader of the Opposition asked the Prime Minister a question. tree →
• Parents voiced their opposition to the new uniform. tree →
• The Opposition voted against the law. tree →
• Our team beat the opposition easily. tree →
• She spoke in opposition to the plan. tree →
• Such a seemingly extravagant theory, thus roundly asserted, excited much opposition. tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable; capital O for the political Opposition in Westminster-style parliaments. Verb: oppose; adjective: opposite, opposed. «In opposition to» = against.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: In Sefer Yetzirah, opposition means paired opposites, good and evil, which God set against each other in Creation. In the primary lessons: In politics lessons in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the Leader of the Opposition and the Opposition party challenge the Prime Minister. In sport, «the opposition» are the other team. In everyday life, there is opposition to a new rule when many people disagree. In maths and science, opposition is rare as a technical word.

Examples

• And our God made the states of opposition, good and evil, good from the good, and evil from the evil. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887) tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable; capital O for the political Opposition in Westminster-style parliaments. Verb: oppose; adjective: opposite, opposed. «In opposition to» = against.