Against
Preposition
UK
/əˈɡenst/
US
/əˈɡenst/
Definition
In opposition to; or in contact with.
Example
"We are always against evil."
"The chair was leaning against the wall near the door."
"Our team will play against the champions next weekend."
Explanation
“Against” is a word we use when something is either touching, facing, or opposing something else. It has a few meanings, but they all involve contact or conflict in some way. If you lean against a wall, your body is touching it. If you are against an idea, it means you disagree with it. In sports, if one team plays against another, they are competing. So, “against” can be used to describe physical contact, competition, or opposition — whether it’s a person, an idea, or an object.