against
Americanpreposition
-
in opposition to; contrary to; adverse or hostile to: against reason.
twenty votes against ten;
against reason.
-
in resistance to or defense from.
protection against burglars.
-
in an opposite direction to.
to ride against the wind.
-
into contact or collision with; toward; upon.
The rain beat against the window.
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in contact with.
to lean against the wall.
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in preparation for; in provision for.
money saved against a rainy day.
-
having as background.
a design of flowers against a dark wall.
-
in exchange for; as a balance to or debit or charge on.
He asked for an advance against his salary.
-
in competition with.
a racehorse running against his own record time.
-
in comparison or contrast with.
a matter of reason as against emotion.
-
The car is against the building.
conjunction
idioms
preposition
-
opposed to; in conflict or disagreement with
they fought against the legislation
-
standing or leaning beside or in front of
a ladder against the wall
-
coming in contact with
the branches of a tree brushed against the bus
-
in contrast to
silhouettes are outlines against a light background
-
having an adverse or unfavourable effect on
the economic system works against small independent companies
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as a protection from or means of defence from the adverse effects of
a safeguard against contaminated water
-
in exchange for or in return for
-
rare in preparation for
he gave them warm clothing against their journey through the night
-
as opposed to or as compared with
he had two shots at him this time as against only one last time
Etymology
Origin of against
First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English agens, ageynes, equivalent to ageyn again + -es -s 1; for -t whilst, amongst
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The watchdog also benchmarked MPs' pay against other senior civil roles and similar democracies worldwide, as well as the wider economic context.
From BBC
"The club stands firmly against all forms of discrimination and has therefore taken the strongest possible action. The disgusting behaviour of a minority of so-called fans on the night is in no way reflective of the values of our club and its supporters."
From BBC
Jacks won the player of the match award in England's wins against Nepal, Italy, Sri Lanka and New Zealand for his efforts with both bat and ball.
From BBC
In India's only defeat in this tournament against South Africa, they lost three wickets in the powerplay.
From BBC
Four were lost in the powerplay against the United States in their other big wobble, before captain Suryakumar Yadav bailed them out.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
