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.

He also presents Christina Crawford as a bitter, oppositional personality from early on, and he quotes other family members who insist they saw none of the abuse alleged in “Mommie Dearest.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Though the film does not provide easy answers, it does point in the direction of what could be done to make relations between police and citizens less oppositional.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2024

But the fraught, even fundamentally oppositional relationship between landlords and tenants seemed very much a feature of For Rent.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2024

But Samuels said people sometimes “mistake her oppositional nature and divisive nature for someone who’s speaking truth to power when in fact she is misusing her power, or not using her power, to make change.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 12, 2023

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