Opposed vs. Opposite: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 18, 2023
"Opposed" indicates resistance or disagreement with something; "opposite" signifies a contrasting position, direction, or nature.
Key Differences
Opposed is a term often used to describe a stance of disagreement or resistance to an idea, action, or situation. If one is "opposed" to a decision, they fundamentally disagree with it. On the other hand, opposite conveys a sense of being diametrically different or in a contrasting position, such as the opposite ends of a spectrum.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
While opposed commonly appears in contexts involving conflict or differing opinions, it can also signify being set against something or someone in a competitive situation. For instance, two teams can be opposed in a sports match. Opposite, meanwhile, doesn't necessarily imply disagreement but often refers to spatial, directional, or characteristic contrasts. North is opposite to South.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
Consider the sentiment behind statements. Saying "I am opposed to that policy" underscores a disagreement or objection to the policy's principles. In contrast, "The policy's effects are opposite to its intentions" highlights a disparity between expected and actual outcomes.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
When we talk about people being opposed, it suggests that they have conflicting views or intentions. In a debate, one might find two individuals opposed on a particular issue. In the realm of opposite, if we say two people sit opposite each other, it means they are facing each other, with no indication of agreement or disagreement.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
In summary, opposed often delves into realms of disagreement, resistance, or competition, whereas opposite is more about contrasting positions, directions, or natures without inherently denoting conflict.
Janet White
Oct 18, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Denotes resistance or disagreement
Indicates a contrasting position, direction, or nature
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
Usage
Typically used in contexts of conflict or differing views
Often used to describe spatial, directional, or characteristic contrasts
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
Implication
Implies some form of conflict or competition
Doesn't inherently denote conflict
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
Examples
Opposed to a decision, two teams opposed in a match
Opposite ends, opposite effects, opposite directions
Sara Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
Grammatical Role
Often used as a verb or adjective
Typically used as an adjective or noun
Harlon Moss
Oct 18, 2023
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Opposed and Opposite Definitions
Opposed
Set against something or someone in disagreement or resistance.
She was opposed to the new regulations.
Janet White
Oct 18, 2023
Opposite
Situated on the other side or facing something.
The store is on the opposite side of the street.
Sara Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
Opposed
Being in competition or in conflict.
The two teams were opposed in the finals.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 18, 2023
Opposite
Directly facing another object or person.
They sat opposite each other during dinner.
Harlon Moss
Oct 18, 2023
Opposed
To place over against something, confronting.
The soldiers opposed the invaders at the border.
Harlon Moss
Oct 18, 2023
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Opposite
Placed or located directly across from something else or from each other
Opposite sides of a building.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposed
Contrary or opposite in direction or position.
The paths were opposed, leading them further apart.
Harlon Moss
Oct 18, 2023
Opposite
Facing the other way; moving or tending away from each other
Opposite directions.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Being the other of two complementary or mutually exclusive things
The opposite sex.
An opposite role to the lead in the play.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposed
To be or act in contention or conflict with
Opposed their crosstown rivals in the season finale.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Altogether different, as in nature, quality, or significance
The effect of the medication was opposite to that intended.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposed
To be hostile or resistant to; try to prevent
Opposes the building of a new police station.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposed
To set as an opposite in position
Opposed the painting with a mirror across the room.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposed
To present in counterbalance or contrast
Ideas that were opposed to each other in her first book.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposed
Characterized by active opposition; as, two bitterly opposing schools of thought.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposed
Acting in opposition to; as, the opposing sector of the same muscle group.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Located directly across from something else, or from each other.
She saw him walking on the opposite side of the road.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
(botany) Of leaves and flowers, positioned directly across from each other on a stem.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposed
Being in opposition or having an opponent;
Two bitterly opposed schools of thought
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Facing in the other direction.
They were moving in opposite directions.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Of either of two complementary or mutually exclusive things.
He is attracted to the opposite sex.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
A person or thing that is entirely different from or the reverse of someone or something else; used to show contrast between two people or two things.
She is the opposite of her ex-boyfriend who abused her both physically and verbally nearly every day for five years. She now works as an advocate and supportive listener for others who have endured abusive relationships.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
In an opposite position.
I was on my seat and she stood opposite.
Where's the bus station? -Over there, just opposite.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
(television) On another channel at the same time.
The game show Just Men! aired opposite The Young and the Restless on CBS.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Placed over against; standing or situated over against or in front; facing; - often with to; as, a house opposite to the Exchange; the concert hall and the state theater stood opposite each other on the plaza.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Situated on the other end of an imaginary line passing through or near the middle of an intervening space or object; - of one object with respect to another; as, the office is on the opposite side of town; - also used both to describe two objects with respect to each other; as, the stores were on opposite ends of the mall.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Applied to the other of two things which are entirely different; other; as, the opposite sex; the opposite extreme; antonyms have opposite meanings.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
Novels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pleasure opposite to that which is designed in an epic poem.
Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite, significations.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Set over against each other, but separated by the whole diameter of the stem, as two leaves at the same node.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist.
The opposites of this day's strife.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
That which is opposed or contrary in character or meaning; as, sweetness and its opposite; up is the opposite of down.
The virtuous man meets with more opposites and opponents than any other.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Two words that express opposing concepts;
To him the opposite of gay was depressed
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
A relation of direct opposition;
We thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Something inverted in sequence or character or effect;
When the direct approach failed he tried the inverse
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Being directly across from each other; facing;
And I on the opposite shore will be, ready to ride and spread the alarm
We lived on opposite sides of the street
At opposite poles
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Of leaves etc; growing in pairs on either side of a stem;
Opposite leaves
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Moving or facing away from each other;
Looking in opposite directions
They went in opposite directions
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
The other one of a complementary pair;
The opposite sex
The two chess kings are set up on squares of opposite colors
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Altogether different in nature or quality or significance;
The medicine's effect was opposite to that intended
It is said that opposite characters make a union happiest
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Characterized by opposite extremes; completely opposed;
In diametric contradiction to his claims
Diametrical (or opposite) points of view
Opposite meanings
Extreme and indefensible polar positions
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Directly facing each other;
The two photographs lay face-to-face on the table
Lived all their lives in houses face-to-face across the street
They sat opposite at the table
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 19, 2022
Opposite
Being in a position of contrast or divergence in nature.
The effects were the opposite of what was intended.
Sara Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
Opposite
Completely different in nature or quality.
Their personalities were opposite, yet they got along well.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 18, 2023
Opposite
Contrary in character or direction.
The opposite reaction was unexpected.
Sara Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
FAQs
Is "opposite" always about physical direction?
No, opposite can also describe contrasting characteristics or natures.
Sara Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
How is opposite typically used?
Opposite signifies a contrasting position, direction, or nature.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
What does opposed mean?
Opposed indicates resistance, disagreement, or being set against something or someone.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
Can "opposed" refer to competition?
Yes, for instance, two teams can be opposed in a championship.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
What does "opposed in nature" mean?
It means having contrasting or different inherent characteristics or qualities.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
Can two things be opposite in nature but not opposed?
Yes, two things can be different or opposite without being in conflict or disagreement.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 18, 2023
If I'm "opposed" to an idea, what does that indicate?
It indicates that you disagree with or resist that idea.
Sara Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
Are the terms "opposite side" and "adjacent side" synonymous?
No, "opposite side" refers to a facing side, while "adjacent side" refers to a side next to a particular point or reference.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
Is "being opposed" always about conflict?
Not necessarily. It can mean disagreement, resistance, or even competition.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
Can "opposite" be used to describe people?
Yes, like when two people have contrasting personalities.
Janet White
Oct 18, 2023
Are "opposite" and "contrary" synonymous?
They are similar, but "contrary" often implies a stronger sense of conflict or contradiction.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
Can two colors be opposite?
Yes, in color theory, certain colors like red and green are considered opposites or complementary.
Harlon Moss
Oct 18, 2023
Is being opposed a passive stance?
Not necessarily. Being opposed can be passive or active, depending on the context.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
Can a policy and its effects be opposed?
A policy's effects can be opposite to its intentions, not necessarily opposed.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 18, 2023
Can you be opposed to someone's opinion without being opposed to the person?
Yes, one can disagree with an opinion without being against the individual holding it.
Sara Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
Are "opposed" and "averse" the same?
They're similar. Both indicate resistance or disinclination, but "averse" often implies a strong emotional or instinctual reaction.
Sara Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
Can a person be "opposed to" and "in favor of" something at the same time?
It's contradictory. One cannot be both opposed to and in favor of the same thing simultaneously.
Janet White
Oct 18, 2023
Is "opposite" always about two things?
Typically, but not always. "Opposite" often refers to one of a pair or set in contrast to another.
Sara Rehman
Oct 18, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
