against

Definitions

1. preposition

   Moving in the opposite direction to something.

   Examples

   • It is hard to swim against the current.
   • The wind blew hard against us the whole way.
2. preposition

   Hitting or pressing hard on something.

   Examples

   • The rain pounds against the window.
   • He kicked a ball against the wall for hours.
3. preposition

   Touching something for support.

   Examples

   • The ladder was leaning against the wall.
   • The puppy rested its head against a paw.
4. preposition

   Next to or close to something.

   Examples

   • A row of trees stood against the fence.
   • The bicycle leaned against the garage wall.
5. preposition

   With something behind as a background.

   Examples

   • The giant was dark against the door.
   • The mountains stood dark against the orange sunset.
6. preposition

   When compared with something.

   Examples

   • She is small against her tall classmates.
   • He stands out against his classmates.
7. preposition

   Playing to beat another team or person.

   Examples

   • The Tigers will play against the Bears this weekend.
   • I played chess against my uncle.
   ≈versus
8. preposition

   Not allowed by a rule, or opposed to a belief.

   Examples

   • Doing this is against my principles.
   • It is against the law to smoke here.
9. preposition

   Opposed to something or someone.

   Examples

   • Are you against free choice?
   • He ran a ten-year campaign against the company that polluted the river.
   ≠for
10. preposition

    Used in betting to show a poor chance of winning.

    Examples

    • That horse is fifty to one against, so it will probably lose.
    • The underdog was three to one against in the final.
    ≠on