opposite

1 of 4

adjective

op·​po·​site ˈä-pə-zət How to pronounce opposite (audio)
ˈäp-sət
1
a
: set over against something that is at the other end or side of an intervening (see intervene sense 4) line or space
opposite interior angles
opposite ends of a diameter
b
: situated in pairs on an axis (see axis sense 3) with each member being separated from the other by half the circumference (see circumference sense 2) of the axis
opposite leaves
compare alternate
2
a
: occupying an opposing and often antagonistic position
opposite sides of the question
b
: diametrically different (as in nature or character)
opposite meanings
3
: contrary to one another or to a thing specified : reverse
gave them opposite directions
4
: being the other of a pair that are corresponding (see corresponding sense 1a) or complementary (see complementary sense 2) in position, function, or nature
In the final position, the two exchanged rooks and left bishops of opposite color, a position that often leads to a draw …The Chicago Sun Times
see also opposite sex
5
: of, relating to, or being the side of a baseball field that is near the first base line for a right-handed batter and near the third base line for a left-handed batter
oppositely adverb
oppositeness noun

opposite

2 of 4

noun

1
: something that is opposed to some other often specified thing
2
3
: additive inverse
especially : the additive inverse of a real number

opposite

3 of 4

adverb

: on or to an opposite side

opposite

4 of 4

preposition

1
: across from and usually facing or on the same level with
sat opposite each other
2
: in a role complementary to
played opposite the leading man in the comedy
Choose the Right Synonym for opposite

opposite, contradictory, contrary, antithetical mean being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable.

opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict.

opposite views on foreign aid

contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid.

made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.

contrary assessments of the war situation

antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.

a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

Examples of opposite in a Sentence

Adjective The two boys lived on opposite sides of the street. the opposite bank of the river Fold the bottom right corner of the paper over to the opposite corner. The two scientists had the same information but reached opposite conclusions. They represent opposite sides of the issue. They ran in opposite directions. Noun “Wet” is the opposite of “dry.” The terms “black” and “white” are opposites. Adverb I sat down and he sat opposite. Preposition She lives in the house opposite ours. The school is opposite a park. I played opposite the best player in the league. She stars opposite Clint Eastwood in her latest movie.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But in six of the last 14 years, home purchases and car sales ran in opposite directions. Jonathan Lansner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 And as Irish America became more politically conservative, Ireland was moving rapidly in the opposite direction. Liam Stack, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 The second, smaller, stretchier band gets pulled and goes around your body in the opposite direction, providing whatever compression level is right for you. Maya Polton, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 Instead of recognizing the threat Trump poses and assuming a more cautious stance, NBC News Group appears to be moving in the opposite direction. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 Though the photograph was seemingly intended to combat conspiracies that have grown around Middleton’s extended absence from the public eye following a January 16 abdominal surgery, if anything the apparent manipulation of the photo has had the opposite effect. Brian Barrett, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 This dynamic works in the opposite direction too, as demonstrated by the royal portrait released yesterday. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024 That logic may work in the opposite direction, too. Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 11 Mar. 2024 But startlingly, the United States is moving in the opposite direction. Aziz Huq, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2024
Noun
Navalny represented the opposite, which made his existence unbearable to the state. Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2024 Right now, the university’s message is often the opposite. Pamela Paul, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024 What should have been a day of joy for one family — quickly turned into the opposite. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 Now that the Pentagon’s report is out, it can officially be said that this latest investigation does nothing to prove the existence of aliens — just the opposite, in fact. Lucas Ropek / Gizmodo, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, the opposite is happening in cities where supply remains low and demand high. Michael Kolomatsky, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Even with a candy song banging around in the skull, the treat’s word-play trail is the opposite of empty calories. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 While Taiwan limits the number of mainland Chinese films that can play each year in its cinemas, the opposite does not hold true. Patrick Frater, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024 Yet if the amount of shows put on in London continue shrinking, and if the opposite continues happening at Paris Fashion Week (this last edition featured over 100 shows during a sprawling nine-day event), London might end up feeding the cultural fashion dialogue in different ways. Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024
Adverb
In addition to starring opposite Michelle Yeoh on American Born Chinese, Wang can currently be seen in the Mean Girls movie musical. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2024 The flattering silhouette shows off your curves with a tighter-fit around the thighs, but slowly tapers out from the knee, opposite from skinny jeans. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Snowstorm from Mammoth to Tahoe triggers blizzard alert After such a nice, sunny 70-degree day in Southern California, the scene in the north is about to become a mirror opposite: A rare and treacherous blizzard is expected to wallop the Sierra Nevada. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 The 37-year-old Pennsylvania native has stolen the show on Only Murders in the Building, High Fidelity and her breakout turn opposite Eddie Murphy in Dolemite Is My Name. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 4 Jan. 2024 The series, based on the 2005 Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie movie of the same title, has added a number of high-profile guest stars opposite leads Donald Glover and Maya Erskine. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2023 Deschanel starred opposite Will Ferrell in the 2003 holiday movie, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023 Though Tveit has starred opposite many leading ladies on the screen and stage over the years — including Blake Lively on Gossip Girl and recently Sutton Foster in Sweeney Todd — the actor has been more private about his real-life romances. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 31 Oct. 2023 The band will perform opposite of host and comedian Nate Bargatze. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2023
Preposition
On Monday, Netflix released the first full-length teaser ahead of the movie's release on April 5, showing Gillian Anderson as BBC Newsnight anchor Emily Maitlis opposite Sewell as the Duke of York. Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 Maher, according to sources, was furious that he was snubbed for the event — which was scheduled opposite the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s Night Before bash. Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024 Partner’s cue bid promises the values for game opposite your double (and your double was quite sound), and his bid of a new suit is forcing. Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024 Secondary There are two open starting spots — safety next to Derwin James Jr. and outside corner opposite Asante Samuel Jr. — with Alohi Gilman and Michael Davis approaching free agency. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 The actors, who starred opposite each other in the 1988 comedy Twins, reunited at the ceremony to present the awards for Visual Effects and Film Editing. EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024 Tiara clearly designed this boat for a seaway, a point made by the portside companion seating opposite the two-seater helm—which creates four forward-facing seats in the salon. Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 Uggie, the late Parson Russell Terrier who starred opposite Jean Dujardin in The Artist, was on the stage when their film took best picture in 2012. Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 Curry stars opposite Lindsay Lohan in the Netflix rom-com as Heather. Liza Esquibias, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opposite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin oppositus, from past participle of oppōnere "to place (over or against), place as an obstacle, set in opposition to, argue in reply" — more at oppose

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin oppositus, noun derivative from past participle of oppōnere "to place (over or against), place as an obstacle, set in opposition to, argue in reply" — more at oppose

Adverb

derivative of opposite entry 1

Preposition

derivative of opposite entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1667, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1758, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of opposite was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near opposite

Cite this Entry

“Opposite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opposite. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

opposite

1 of 4 adjective
op·​po·​site ˈäp-ə-zət How to pronounce opposite (audio)
ˈäp-sət
1
a
: being at the other end, side, or corner
lived on opposite sides of the street
the opposite sides of a rectangle
b
: being one of two angles of a four-sided figure (as a square or parallelogram) that are not next to each other
2
a
: being in a position to oppose or cancel out
opposite sides of the question
b
: as different as possible : contrary
reached opposite conclusions
went off in opposite directions
3
: being the other of a matching or contrasting pair
the opposite sex
oppositely adverb
oppositeness noun

opposite

2 of 4 noun
1
: someone or something that is opposite
2
3
: additive inverse
especially : the additive inverse of a real number
+3 and −3 are opposites

opposite

3 of 4 adverb
: on or to the opposite side

opposite

4 of 4 preposition
: across from and usually facing or on the same level with
the house opposite ours

More from Merriam-Webster on opposite

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