ə-ˈgen(t)st 
-ˈgin(t)st,
-ˈgān(t)st
1
a
: 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
2
a
: directly opposite : facing
… she sat down just over against me …—
Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe
b
obsolete
: exposed to
3
: compared or contrasted with
profits are up against last year
4
a
: in preparation or provision for
saving against an uncertain future
b
: as a defense or protection from
a shelter against the cold
5
a
: 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
7
a
: 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
archaic
: in preparation for the time when
… throw on another log of wood against father comes home.—Charles Dickens
Charles DickensSynonyms
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 WebAramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Apr. 2024
Already with two hits and an RBI on his ledger, Bailey stepped in against Gallen following a two-out single from Wilmer Flores that extended the inning.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
Raman assailed the union’s spending, saying she was being targeted her over her vote against the police raises.
Raman, who was reelected last month, did find support from other unions with business before the council.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Both episodes had past guest stars testify in court as character witnesses, detailing slights the main characters made against them as evidence leading to their convictions.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2024
Several Jewish members of Congress, including Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) and Becca Balint (D-Vermont) were among those to vote against the aid to Israel.
—Jeremy Childs, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2024
Thirty-seven Democrats voted against aid to Israel.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 20 Apr. 2024
Before the Kings second postseason game got underway Friday evening in a win-or-go-home play-in matchup in New Orleans against the Pelicans, national TV analysts weighed in on Sacramento’s chances to advance into the NBA playoffs.
—Michael McGough, Sacramento Bee, 20 Apr. 2024
There is no rule against overturning a precedent, though.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Preposition
Despite her mother’s rules, Ali rebels against them, staying out late, getting to know Knuck intimately and fighting Jersey at every turn.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Apr. 2024
Already with two hits and an RBI on his ledger, Bailey stepped in against Gallen following a two-out single from Wilmer Flores that extended the inning.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2024
Raman assailed the union’s spending, saying she was being targeted her over her vote against the police raises.
Raman, who was reelected last month, did find support from other unions with business before the council.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Both episodes had past guest stars testify in court as character witnesses, detailing slights the main characters made against them as evidence leading to their convictions.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2024
Several Jewish members of Congress, including Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) and Becca Balint (D-Vermont) were among those to vote against the aid to Israel.
—Jeremy Childs, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2024
Thirty-seven Democrats voted against aid to Israel.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 20 Apr. 2024
Before the Kings second postseason game got underway Friday evening in a win-or-go-home play-in matchup in New Orleans against the Pelicans, national TV analysts weighed in on Sacramento’s chances to advance into the NBA playoffs.
—Michael McGough, Sacramento Bee, 20 Apr. 2024
There is no rule against overturning a precedent, though.
—Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'against.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Against.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/against. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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