against

Meaning

Prep

1. In a contrary direction to.
2. In physical opposition to; in collision with.
3. In physical contact with, so as to abut or be supported by.
4. Close to, alongside.
5. In front of; before (a background).
6. In contrast or comparison with.
7. In competition with, versus.
8. Contrary to; in conflict with.
9. In opposition to.
10. Of betting odds, denoting a worse-than-even chance.
11. In exchange for.
12. As counterbalance to.
13. As a charge on.
14. As protection from.
15. In anticipation of; in preparation for (a particular time, event etc.).
16. To be paid now in contrast to the following amount to be paid later under specified circumstances, usually that a movie is made or has started filming.
17. (obsolete) Exposed to.

Conj

By the time that (something happened); before.

Opposite of

for, on

Synonyms

opposite

opposed to

versus

upon

to

oppose

contrary to

on

🔛

across from

contrary

opposed

in exchange for

at

towards

anti

across

from

counter to

for

toward

opposite to

in exchange

contradicting

over against

in defiance

anti-

be leaning on

vis-a-vis

with

in opposition to

fight

by

opposing

resist

upstream

object to

despite

negatively

behind

next to

counter

facing

back

🔙

near

contrarily

backwards

contra

con

averse

compete with

Translations

contre

contra

contro

gegen

tegen

contra

wider

contra

s’opposer à

en contra

contra

wieder

🔁

jegens

en contra

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əˈɡɛnst/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: ayenes

In summary

Formed from Middle English ayenes, agenes, againes (“in opposition to”), a southern variant of agen, or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic -t was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est. By surface analysis, again + -st (excrescent ending).
Cognate with Saterland Frisian juun (“against”), West Frisian tsjin (“against”), Dutch tegen (“against”), German Low German gegen (“against”), German gegen (“against”), Icelandic gegn (“against”).

Sentences

These reports helped to sway public opinion against the war .

The painter gets upset and bangs his head against the mailbox outside .

They have prejudices against foreigners .

These often favour the major parties and discriminate against smaller , regional parties .

The plush chair leaned against the wall .

Increasing the unicity distance increases strength against statistical attacks .