Webster's English Dictionary

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oppose

op.pose \*-'po-z\ vt [F opposer, fr. L opponere (perf. indic. opposui), fr. 
   ob-] against + ponere to place - more at OB-, POSITION 1: to place opposite 
   or against  2: to place over against something so as to provide resistance, 
   counterbal ance, or contrast 3: to offer resistance to POSE may apply to a 
   range extending from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare; COMBAT 
   stresses the actual conflict with what one actively opposes; RESIST and 
   WITHSTAND imply answering an offensive action with counter force, WITHSTAND 
   usu. adding a suggestion of successful outcome; ANTAGONIZE implies an 
   arousing of resistance or hostility in another - op.pos.er n SYN syn 
   COMBAT, RESIST, WITHSTAND, ANTAGONIZE: OP