against

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Contents

English [edit]

Alternative forms [edit]

Etymology [edit]

Formed from Middle English 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.

Pronunciation [edit]

  • (UK) IPA: /əˈɡɛnst/, /əˈɡeɪnst/, X-SAMPA: /@"gEnst/, /@"geInst/
  • (US) IPA: /əˈɡɛnst/, X-SAMPA: /@"gEnst/
  • Audio (US)
    		(file)
  • Hyphenation: a‧gainst

Preposition [edit]

against

  1. In a contrary direction to.
    If you swim against the current, you must work harder.
  2. Close to.
  3. In front of; before a background.
    The giant was silhouetted against the door.
  4. In physical contact with.
    The puppy rested its head against a paw.
  5. In physical opposition to, or in collision with.
    The rain pounds against the window.
  6. In contrast and/or comparison with.
    He stands out against his local classmates
  7. In competition with, versus.
    The Tigers will play against the Bears this weekend.
    • 2011 September 24, Aled Williams, “Chelsea 4 - 1 Swansea”, BBC Sport:
      The breakthrough came through Torres who, pilloried for his miss against Manchester United a week earlier, scored his second goal of the season.
  8. In opposition to.
    Are you against freedom of choice?
    I'd bet against his succeeding.
  9. In exchange for.
  10. As counterbalance to.
  11. As a charge on.
  12. As protection from.
    He turned the umbrella against the wind.
  13. (obsolete) Exposed to.
  14. In anticipation of; in preparation for (a particular time, event etc.).
    • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.11:
      He wrote to a friend of his, that he lived but with browne bread and water, and entreated him to send him a piece of cheese, against [transl. pour] the time he was to make a solemne feast.

Synonyms [edit]

  • (in competition with): versus

Antonyms [edit]

Translations [edit]

in a contrary direction to
close to
in front of; before a background
in physical contact with
in opposition to
in contrast or comparison with
in competition with
in exchange for
as counterbalance to
as a charge to
as protection from
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked

Conjunction [edit]

against

  1. (obsolete) By the time that (something happened); before.
    • 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.ix:
      Thence she them brought into a stately Hall, / Wherein were many tables faire dispred, / And ready dight with drapets festiuall, / Against the viaundes should be ministred.
    • 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society 1973, p. 6:
      He now gave Mrs Deborah positive orders to take the child to her own bed, and to call up a maid-servant to provide it pap, and other things, against it waked.

Translations [edit]

by the time that

Adverb [edit]

against (comparative more against, superlative most against)

  1. In opposition to something
    • Are you for the new ring road? No, I'm against.
  2. (gambling) Having a specified likelihood of not winning or happening
    • The second favourite won the race at odds of two to one against.

Statistics [edit]

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