French word

opposer

Pronunciation

IPA/opoze/

Meaning

  • verbpit against

Example

Cette décision oppose les deux groupes.

This decision pits the two groups against each other.

Illustration for opposer (pit against)

More examples

Il a opposé son point de vue à celui du maire.

He pitted his point of view against that of the mayor.

Core concept

Two people or things are set against each other so that their conflict or contrast becomes clear.

Common phrases

  • opposer quelqu'un à quelqu'un

    pit ___ against ___

  • opposer un point de vue à un autre

    set one point of view against another

  • opposer des arguments à quelqu'un

    pit arguments against someone

Similar words

être contre: Adopt an opposing position on a matter or view.
s'opposer: State opposition to something.
contester: Question and refuse to accept a decision or assertion.
contredire: Contradict what someone has said.

Definition in French

Mettre une personne, une idée ou une chose en opposition à une autre; faire que deux éléments soient en désaccord l'un par rapport à l'autre.

Word origin

French opposer comes from Latin opponere, built from ob- 'against' and ponere 'to place', meaning to place one thing against another.

Usage tips

  • The usual transitive pattern is opposer A à B, while s'opposer à B means to oppose or resist B.

Other meanings

  • opposeverb
  • contrastverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word