against
preposition
\ ə-ˈgen(t)st
, -ˈgin(t)st, -ˈgān(t)st\
, -ˈgin(t)st, -ˈgān(t)st\
Definition of against
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: in opposition or hostility to
spoke against his enemies
b
: not in conformity with : contrary to
against the law
c
: in competition with
racing against each other
d
: as a basis for disapproval of
had nothing against him
2a
: directly opposite : facing
… she sat down just over against me …— Daniel Defoe
b
obsolete
: exposed to
3
: compared or contrasted with
profits are up against last year
4a
: in preparation or provision for
saving against an uncertain future
b
: as a defense or protection from
a shelter against the cold
5a
: in the direction of and into contact with
knocked against the ropes
b
: in contact with
leaning against the wall
6
: in a direction opposite to the motion or course of : counter to
sail against the wind
7a
: as a counterbalance to
weighing risk against profit
b
: in exchange for
a lower rate against the dollar
c
: as a charge on
charged against her account
8
: before the background of
viewed against the sky
against
conjunctionDefinition of against (Entry 2 of 2)
archaic
: in preparation for the time when
… throw on another log of wood against father comes home.— Charles Dickens
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Examples of against in a Sentence
Preposition
We must continue the struggle for justice and against injustice. She voted against the proposal. He spoke against appeasing the enemy. Some people were for the proposal but others were against it. There's a law against doing that. two runners racing against each other Touching the ball with your hands is against the rules.
Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition
His stats were similar to a week ago -- 20 of 25 passing for 224 yards compared to 18 of 25 for 234 yards against Florida Atlantic -- but this wasn’t broken plays and easy throws. — Doug Lesmerises, cleveland.com, "Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields showed in two throws everything he can be," 8 Sep. 2019 Gruden said Brown would play in Oakland’s season opener Monday against the Denver Broncos. — Sean Gregory, Time, "On NFL Kickoff, the New England Patriots Win Again," 8 Sep. 2019 The 2017 action crime thriller V.I.P., directed by Park Hoon-jung, generated an uproar over its scenes of graphic violence against women, with many critics labeling the film misogynistic. — Danny Kim, The Hollywood Reporter, "Toronto: Crime Wave Hits South Korean Cinema," 8 Sep. 2019 Dayton 42, Indiana State 35: Sean Prophit scored two rushing touchdowns, the last a 13-yard jaunt that was the game winner and Dayton won its season opener against Indiana State on Saturday. — Indystar Staff Reports, Indianapolis Star, "State college football roundup: Butler tops Indiana Wesleyan in OT," 8 Sep. 2019 Even though eyes were on the royal, today was all about Serena who is playing against Bianca Andreescu. — Marina Liao, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Wore a Casual Denim Dress to the US Open Final," 7 Sep. 2019 Alexander desperately wants to provide a similar contribution to his new team while playing against his ex-teammates. — Eric Branch, SFChronicle.com, "For 49ers’ Kwon Alexander, a fresh start doesn’t erase pain of tragedy," 7 Sep. 2019 Florida State appears to run an offensive play against Louisiana Monroe on Saturday with a wide receiver lined up with his back to the line of scrimmage. — Mark Heim | [email protected], al, "Watch Florida State run play with WR facing wrong way vs. Louisiana Monroe," 7 Sep. 2019 Biden devoted a good portion of his stump speech at both events to violence against women. — Fox News, "Biden slams Trump, claims economy is 'teetering on a recession'," 7 Sep. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'against.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for against
against
preposition
English Language Learners Definition of against
: in opposition to (someone or something)
: in competition with (someone or something)
—used to indicate the person or thing that is affected or harmed by something
See the full definition for against in the English Language Learners Dictionary
against
preposition
\ ə-ˈgenst
\
\
Kids Definition of against
1
: opposed to
Everyone was against her idea.
2
: not agreeing with or allowed by
against the law
3
: as protection from
We built a shelter against the cold.
4
: in or into contact with
The ball bounced against the wall.
5
: in a direction opposite to
against the wind
6
: before the background of
green trees against a blue sky