1
a
: 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
b
: 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
2
a
: occupying an opposing and often antagonistic position
opposite sides of the question
b
: diametrically different (as in nature or character)
opposite meanings
3
: contrary to one another or to a thing specified : reverse
gave them opposite directions
4
: 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
see also opposite sex
The Chicago Sun Times5
: of, relating to, or being the side of a baseball field that is near the first base line for a right-handed batter and near the third base line for a left-handed batter
oppositely
adverb
oppositeness
noun
1
: something that is opposed to some other often specified thing
2
: antonym
3
: additive inverse
especially
: the additive inverse of a real number
: on or to an opposite side
1
: across from and usually facing or on the same level with
sat opposite each other
2
: in a role complementary to
played opposite the leading man in the comedy
Synonyms
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
Becca Stanek, theweek, 20 Nov. 2024
In early 2017, the nascent Trump administration quickly moved in the opposite direction, abandoning that interpretation of the law.
—Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 19 Nov. 2024
Greg Wehner, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
That said, in the race for revenue in college sports, many schools are doing the opposite.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 18 Nov. 2024
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
The hallway also has an ironwork staircase leading upstairs and a stair opposite going down to the kitchen.
—Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 19 Nov. 2024
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
British actor Shazad Latif, who starred opposite Lily James in romantic comedy What’s Love Got to With It?, is joining Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in Emerald Fennell’s buzzy adaptation of Wuthering Heights.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opposite 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
However, despite these expectations and much to potential homebuyers' chagrin, mortgage rates are moving in the opposite direction.
—Becca Stanek, theweek, 20 Nov. 2024
In early 2017, the nascent Trump administration quickly moved in the opposite direction, abandoning that interpretation of the law.
—Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
But, instead, Johnson claimed, the president and others have done the opposite and tried to create chaos.
—Greg Wehner, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
That said, in the race for revenue in college sports, many schools are doing the opposite.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 18 Nov. 2024
Adverb
On the feature side, Fukuhara was last seen starring opposite Brad Pitt and Joey King in Sony and 87North’s Bullet Train, an action-comedy from director David Leitch.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
The hallway also has an ironwork staircase leading upstairs and a stair opposite going down to the kitchen.
—Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 19 Nov. 2024
Preposition
Park stars opposite 2x Oscar winner Hilary Swank on the Tom McCarthy created ABC series, Alaska Daily, as Yuna Park and Jieun Park.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
British actor Shazad Latif, who starred opposite Lily James in romantic comedy What’s Love Got to With It?, is joining Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in Emerald Fennell’s buzzy adaptation of Wuthering Heights.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for opposite
Dictionary Entries Near opposite
Cite this Entry
“Opposite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opposite. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opposite
1 of 4 adjective
op·po·site
ˈäp-ə-zət 
ˈäp-sət
1
a
: being at the other end, side, or corner
lived on opposite sides of the street
the opposite sides of a rectangle
b
: being one of two angles of a four-sided figure (as a square or parallelogram) that are not next to each other
2
a
: being in a position to oppose or cancel out
opposite sides of the question
b
: as different as possible : contrary
reached opposite conclusions
went off in opposite directions
3
: being the other of a matching or contrasting pair
the opposite sex
oppositely
adverb
oppositeness
noun
opposite
2 of 4 noun1
: someone or something that is opposite
2
: antonym
3
: 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
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