- opposite
- opposite [äp′ə zit, äp′əsit]adj.[OFr < L oppositus, pp. of opponere: see OPPONENT]1. set against, facing, or back to back; at the other end or side; in a contrary position or direction: often with to2. characterized by hostility or resistance3. different in every way; exactly contrary; antithetical4. Bot.a) growing in pairs, but separated by a stemb) having one part on the same radius as another, as a stamen in front of a petaln.anything opposed or oppositeadv.on opposing sides or in an opposite positionprep.1. facing; across from2. Theater in a complementary role (of the opposite sex) to [he played opposite her]oppositelyadv.oppositenessn.SYN.- OPPOSITE is applied to things that are symmetrically opposed in position, direction, etc. [they sat at opposite ends of the table ]; CONTRARY adds to this connotations of conflict or antagonism [they hold contrary views ]; ANTITHETICAL implies diametrical opposition so that the contrasted things are as far apart or as different as is possible [our interests are completely antithetical]; REVERSE applies to that which moves or faces in the opposite direction [the reverse side of a fabric ]; ANTONYMOUS is used specifically of words that are so opposed in meaning that each contradicts, reverses, or negates the other [good and bad are antonymous terms ] -ANT. SAME, IDENTICAL, LIKE1
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.