opposed
UK[əˈpəʊzd]US[əˈpoʊzd]
adj
Disagreeing with or resisting something; in conflict or competition with.
adj
(of two or more things) Contrasting or set against each other.
Morpheme Breakdown
op
pos
ed
op
against
pos
place, put
ed
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'opposed' originates from the Latin verb 'opponere', meaning 'to set against' or 'to place opposite'. This verb itself is a compound of the prefix 'ob-' (meaning 'against') and the verb 'ponere' (meaning 'to place'). Entering English via Old French 'opposer', the core concept has always been one of active placement in resistance or contrast. The modern adjective 'opposed' retains this literal sense of being 'placed against', now describing a state of disagreement, resistance, or antithesis.
Analysis
Structure: op (against) + pos (place, put) + ed (adjective suffix)
- op: A variant of the Latin prefix 'ob-', meaning 'against', 'toward', or 'in the way of'.
- pos: From Latin 'ponere', meaning 'to place' or 'to put'.
- ed: An English suffix forming adjectives from verbs, indicating a state or condition.
Examples
She is strongly opposed to the new policy.
The two opposed forces finally reached a compromise.
Their philosophies are diametrically opposed.