opposite

1 of 4

adjective

op·po·site ˈä-pə-zət

ˈäp-sət

Synonyms of opposite next

: 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

: 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

: occupying an opposing and often antagonistic position

opposite sides of the question

: diametrically different (as in nature or character)

opposite meanings

: contrary to one another or to a thing specified : reverse

gave them opposite directions

: 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

noun

: something that is opposed to some other often specified thing

: antonym

: 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

: across from and usually facing or on the same level with

sat opposite each other

: 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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Adjective

And the other pulls her in the opposite direction — inwards into her own head where anxiety is just waiting to regale her with all the worst case scenarios it's drummed up while she's been out being a famous comedian. —

Rachel Martin, NPR, 24 July 2025 By chance, one camera caught a rare video, capturing the moment when the ground cracked and shifted in opposite directions. —

Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 July 2025

Noun

Best known for playing whatever the opposite of a manic pixie dream girl is on The Bear, Gordon is particularly good at giving you someone who takes the idea of desperate times requiring desperate measures, and maybe a manic episode or two, to extremes. —

David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2025 Really the opposite of the Biden administration entirely. —

Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 July 2025

Adverb

In film, Laura starred in Worth opposite Michael Keaton, Stanley Tucci and Amy Ryan, and Here Today opposite Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish. —

Jane Levere, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 Who starts opposite of Parsons will be fun to track, as Dante Fowler Jr. is back in the fold fresh off a double-digit sack season with the Washington Commanders and Sam Williams returns after tearing his ACL in training camp last season. —

Nick Harris july 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2025

Preposition

The actor has also been seen in the Peacock/Blumhouse slasher They/Them, opposite Kevin Bacone, as well as the indie Swallowed directed by Carter Smith. —

Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 July 2025 Poirier’s losses during that run came against Justin Gaethje for the BMF title and, most recently, opposite Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 302 in June 2024. —

Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for opposite

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

1609, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

circa 1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

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

See more words from the same century

Articles Related to opposite

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Word Matters, Episode 86

Which Word Does Not Belong?

For each set of words, can you tell which one is not a synonym of all the others?

Words That are Their Own Opposites

Cite this Entry

Style

“Opposite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opposite. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

opposite

1 of 4 adjective

op·po·site ˈäp-ə-zət

ˈäp-sət

: being at the other end, side, or corner

lived on opposite sides of the street

the opposite sides of a rectangle

: being one of two angles of a four-sided figure (as a square or parallelogram) that are not next to each other

: being in a position to oppose or cancel out

opposite sides of the question

: as different as possible : contrary

reached opposite conclusions

went off in opposite directions

: being the other of a matching or contrasting pair

the opposite sex

oppositely adverb

oppositeness noun

opposite

2 of 4 noun

: someone or something that is opposite

: antonym

: 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

Last Updated: 27 Jul 2025 - Updated example sentences

opposite

adjective

noun

adverb

preposition

Synonyms

Examples of opposite in a Sentence

Word History