op ‧ po ‧ si ‧ tion S3 W2 /ˌɒpəˈzɪʃ ə n $ ˌɑːp-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ opposed ≠ ↑ unopposed , ↑ opposing , ↑ opposite ; noun : ↑ opposition , ↑ opposite ; verb : ↑ oppose ; adverb : ↑ opposite ]
1 . [uncountable] strong disagreement with, or protest against, something such as a plan, law, or system
opposition to
There was a great deal of opposition to the war.
opposition from
They face opposition from local residents as well as from environmentalists.
He is confident in his ability to overcome all opposition with his personal charm.
The proposals have aroused the opposition of teachers.
Strong opposition resulted in rejection of the bill.
Plans to turn the site into a £600 million leisure complex have met with stiff opposition.
Much public opposition to the new law remained.
Workers found themselves in opposition to local interests.
2 . the opposition in some countries such as Britain, the main political party in Parliament that is not part of the government:
the leader of the Opposition
the three main opposition parties
3 . in opposition in some countries such as Britain, a political party that is in opposition is in Parliament, but is not part of the government:
The Socialists were elected to power after ten years in opposition.
4 . [ C,U also + plural verb British English ] the people who you are competing against:
They played well against good opposition.
5 . [uncountable and countable] formal when two things are completely opposite
opposition between
the opposition between capitalism and socialism
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COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ strong opposition (=disagreement that someone feels strongly)
The scheme has met with strong opposition from local people.
▪ fierce/intense/stiff opposition (=strong opposition)
It is certain that there will be fierce opposition to the changes.
▪ violent/vehement opposition (=showing extremely strong angry feelings)
The 2,000-strong congress met the violent opposition of left-wingers.
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There has been vehement opposition from the fishing industry.
▪ considerable opposition (=quite a lot of opposition)
The development went ahead in spite of considerable opposition.
▪ growing/mounting opposition (=opposition that is increasing)
There was growing opposition to the war.
▪ local opposition
It took three years to overcome local opposition from environmentalists.
▪ widespread opposition (=opposition from many people or in many places)
Journalists have reported widespread opposition to the regime.
▪ public opposition
Public opposition has blocked the building of nuclear power stations.
▪ organized opposition (=protest that people express by working together in an organized way)
The proposal was passed with no organized opposition.
■ verbs
▪ face opposition (=experience opposition that has to be dealt with)
The proposal faced opposition from road safety campaigners.
▪ meet (with) opposition/run into opposition (=face opposition)
A new tax would meet a lot of opposition.
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The Bill ran into opposition in the House of Lords.
▪ encounter opposition (=find that there is opposition)
The police encountered little opposition, and restored order within the hour.
▪ express (your) opposition
Parents expressed their opposition to the tests.
▪ overcome opposition (=deal with opposition so that it no longer exists)
Nothing he said could overcome their opposition.
▪ arouse opposition/arouse the opposition of somebody (=make someone feel disagreement)
A plan to build on farm land aroused local opposition.
▪ opposition comes from somebody
The strongest opposition came from Republican voters.
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THESAURUS
▪ opposition noun [uncountable] strong disagreement with or protest against something:
Opposition to the proposed scheme was widespread.
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The plan met with stiff opposition (=strong opposition) .
▪ objection noun [countable] a reason you give for opposing an idea or plan:
My main objection is that it will cost too much money.
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A number of objections were raised.
▪ antagonism noun [uncountable] a strong feeling of opposition to something, or dislike for someone, which is shown in your behaviour, and has often existed for a long time:
his own antagonism to any form of authority
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There is no antagonism towards tourists on the island.
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people’s antagonism to communism
▪ hostility noun [uncountable] angry remarks or behaviour that show someone opposes something very strongly, or dislikes someone very much:
The announcement was greeted with hostility from some employees.
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There is a certain amount of hostility towards the police among local people.
▪ antipathy noun [uncountable] formal a strong feeling of opposition and dislike for someone or something:
his fundamental antipathy to capitalism
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Her long-standing antipathy to Herr Kohl was well-known.
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Darwin shared Lyell's antipathy to the idea that the same species could appear independently in different areas.