What is opposition? Pronunciation and usage in English

opposition means . Learn how to pronounce and use opposition through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of opposition

oppositionnoun

/ˌɒpəˈzɪʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of opposition

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "opposition." Here's a breakdown of the sounds and a few different ways to say it:

1. The Phonetic Breakdown:

  • op- – Pronounced like “up” (as in, “lift up”) – /ɒp/
  • -pos- – This is a bit trickier. It's a dipthong, meaning it's a blend of two vowel sounds. It's roughly like saying “poe-s” quickly. – /pɒz/
  • -i- – Pronounced like the "i" in "machine" – /i/
  • -tion – Pronounced like “shun” (as in, “motion”) – /ʃən/

2. Putting it Together:

So, the whole word is roughly pronounced: “up-poh-zee-shun”

3. Variations and Tips:

  • Emphasis: The primary stress is usually on the first syllable: “**up-**poh-zee-shun.”
  • Smoother Flow: Try to blend the "poe" sound of "-pos-" with the "i" sound. Don’t say them very distinctly.
  • British vs. American: While both pronunciations are common, American English tends to have a slightly more distinct “poh” sound in the middle. British English might sound a little closer to “pozz.”

4. Listen to Examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:

To help me give you an even more tailored pronunciation, could you tell me:

  • Are you aiming for a British or American English accent?

Usage and examples with the word opposition in English

Let's break down how to use the word "opposition" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, so understanding the context is key.

1. As a Noun (the most common use):

  • Meaning 1: A group of people who disagree with a particular policy, leader, or idea. This is the most frequent usage.

    • Example: "The opposition party criticized the government's new economic plan."
    • Example: "He faced strong opposition to his proposal for a new park."
    • Example: “There was a large opposition movement against the war.”

  • Meaning 2: The state of being against something. This is a more general sense of conflict or resistance.

    • Example: “There’s a lot of opposition to change within the company.” (meaning resistance to change)
    • Example: “The country faced strong opposition from its neighbors.” (meaning resistance from neighboring countries)

2. As a Verb:

  • Meaning: To be against something; to resist or oppose.
    • Example: “She opposed the motion in the meeting.”
    • Example: “He opposed her decision to leave her job.”
    • Example: “The union opposed the company’s attempt to cut wages.”

3. Figurative/Abstract Usage:

  • Meaning: A force or element that hinders progress or success. This isn’t always about a direct group of people.
    • Example: “Lack of funding presented a major opposition to their research project.” (funding is the opposition)
    • Example: “His stubbornness was his greatest opposition to compromise.” (stubbornness is the opposition)

Here's a breakdown of how to use it correctly with examples:

Context Example Meaning
Politics “The opposition won the election.” Group opposing a leader/policy
Business “There’s opposition to the merger.” Resistance to a business deal
Personal Life “He faced opposition from his family.” Resistance from family members
General Conflict “The landscape presented opposition.” A challenging element

Tips for Using “Opposition” Effectively:

  • Be specific: When possible, identify who or what is being opposed. "The opposition party" is clearer than just "the opposition."
  • Consider the context: Is it a formal political debate, a business negotiation, or a personal struggle?
  • Synonyms: Sometimes you can use synonyms like “resistance,” “rivalry,” "disagreement," or "countermovement" to add variety.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you an even more tailored explanation, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about when you want to use the word "opposition"? (e.g., politics, business, a specific conversation, etc.)

Synonyms for the word opposition

Practice with vocabulary opposition

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The government's new policy faced strong ______ from various civil rights organizations.
  2. There was a slight ______ among the team members regarding the project's timeline, but they quickly resolved it.
  3. The scientific community presented unified ______ to the unproven theory, citing a lack of empirical evidence.
  4. She felt a growing ______ to authority, which often led her to question established norms.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

(Select all that apply)

  1. The proposed merger encountered considerable ______ from regulatory bodies concerned about market dominance. a) agreement b) support c) opposition d) endorsement

  2. During the crucial negotiations, the two parties expressed strong ______ over the distribution of resources. a) consensus b) dispute c) harmony d) accord

  3. The activist group declared its firm ______ to the new environmental bill, arguing it didn't go far enough. a) advocacy b) compliance c) opposition d) defiance

  4. Students organized a peaceful ______ to the tuition fee hike, hoping to influence the university's decision. a) compliance b) protest c) acceptance d) approval

  5. His latest research findings are directly ______ to the prevailing hypothesis in the field, sparking a new debate. a) complementary b) in opposition c) supportive d) consistent

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Several community leaders were against the construction of the new incinerator. Rewrite: (Use "opposition")

  2. Original: Her views are completely at odds with the current management's strategic direction. Rewrite: (Use "opposition")

  3. Original: The local residents strongly objected to the expansion of the industrial park near their homes. Rewrite: (Do not use "opposition")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. opposition
  2. disagreement
  3. opposition
  4. resistance

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) opposition
  2. b) dispute
  3. c) opposition, d) defiance
  4. b) protest
  5. b) in opposition

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The construction of the new incinerator faced significant opposition from several community leaders.
  2. Her views stand in complete opposition to the current management's strategic direction.
  3. The local residents mounted strong resistance to the expansion of the industrial park near their homes.

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