against
preposition
UK/əˈɡenst/US/əˈɡenst/
in opposition to or contrary to someone or something
Example Sentences
He voted against the new policy, stating it would harm local businesses.
Walking against the wind made their hike significantly more challenging.
The protestors marched against the government’s decision to raise taxes.
She stood firmly against the changes proposed by the board of directors.
Many people are against the idea of closing the community center on weekends.
The evidence presented in court was heavily stacked against the defendant.
He braced himself against the cold wind blowing in from the coastline.
Standing against the wall in the busy hallway, she collected her thoughts before entering the meeting room to deliver a presentation that would determine the company's strategic direction for the coming year.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Indicates opposition, contrast, or contact with somethingUse this preposition to express conflict, comparison, or physical contact. For example, “The team played against their rivals” shows a sporting contest, “Leaning against the wall” conveys physical contact, and “Her opinion stands against popular belief” denotes a contrasting viewpoint. It’s employed in both formal and casual settings. In formal writing, “against” clarifies disagreements or contrasting ideas—for instance, “The policy goes against constitutional values.” In everyday speech, it simply marks opposition, as in “I’m against that idea,” or physical contact, like “Place the chair against the wall.” Ensure clarity by positioning “against” directly before the object it opposes or contacts. Avoid overusing it if the context doesn’t require a strong contrast or specific contact description.
Alternatives
Other phrases include “opposed to,” “in contrast to,” or “contrary to.” “Opposed to” signals a strong personal or collective position, such as “I’m opposed to injustice.” “In contrast to” is more neutral and explanatory, as in “His results are in contrast to previous data.” “Contrary to” often emphasizes a differing fact or viewpoint, like “Contrary to popular belief, coffee can have health benefits.” Choose the alternative that best fits your desired tone and context.
Writing
When writing, “against” clearly communicates contradiction or conflict. Use it to highlight disagreements (“The report stands against earlier findings”) or physical positioning (“The bicycle rested against the fence”). Reserve “against” for moments when you need to firmly establish opposition or contact. Too frequent use may weaken its effect, so consider alternatives or paraphrasing to maintain clarity and conciseness. In academic or professional texts, pair “against” with evidence or examples to show precisely what is being compared or opposed.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “against” helps show you don’t support something (“I’m against skipping meals”) or indicates contact (“Rest the ladder against the tree”). It’s flexible enough for both lighthearted talk—“We’re playing soccer against the neighbors”—and more serious topics, like disagreeing with a new policy. Just remember that repeated use can sound repetitive, so mix in synonyms if you’re discussing multiple opposing views. Still, “against” is straightforward and commonly understood, so it’s a reliable choice in casual exchanges.
Etymology
Derived from Old English “ongegn,” meaning “opposite, confronting,” it evolved through Middle English forms like “agayn” or “ayen.” Over time, “against” solidified into its modern spelling and maintained its core meaning of opposition or contact. Its origins underline how a single concept—conflict or positioning—remained relevant in the language through centuries of shifts in spelling and usage.
