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.

Cool became a mainstream commodity in the 1950s with the oppositional tantrums of James Dean.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

“It almost feels like the university has become somewhat of an oppositional force against its students.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 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

Conversations can be politely contentious and leave spectators with more knowledge about oppositional paradigms without necessarily changing how they feel about the other person.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2024

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