Definitions for against
əˈgɛnst, əˈgeɪnstagainst

Wiktionary(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. against(Conjunction)

   By the time that (something happened); before.

   Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

2. against(Preposition)

   In a contrary direction to.

   If you swim against the current, you must work harder.

   Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

3. against(Preposition)

   Close to.

   Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

4. against(Preposition)

   In front of; before a background.

   The giant was silhouetted against the door.

   Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

5. against(Preposition)

   In physical contact with.

   The puppy rested its head against a paw.

   Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

6. against(Preposition)

   In physical opposition to, or in collision with.

   The rain pounds against the window.

   Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

7. against(Preposition)

   In contrast and/or comparison with.

   He stands out against his local classmates

   Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

8. against(Preposition)

   In competition with, versus.

   The Tigers will play against the Bears this weekend.

   Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

9. against(Preposition)

   In opposition to.

   Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

10. against(Preposition)

    In exchange for.

    Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

11. against(Preposition)

    As counterbalance to.

    Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

12. against(Preposition)

    As a charge on.

    Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

13. against(Preposition)

    As protection from.

    He turned the umbrella against the wind.

    Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

14. against(Preposition)

    Exposed to.

    Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

15. against(Preposition)

    In anticipation of; in preparation for (a particular time, event etc.).

    Etymology: Formed from agenes, , a southern variant of , or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Against

   abreast; opposite to; facing; towards; as, against the mouth of a river; -- in this sense often preceded by over

   Etymology: [OE. agens, ageynes, AS. ongegn. The s is adverbial, orig. a genitive ending. See Again.]

2. Against

   from an opposite direction so as to strike or come in contact with; in contact with; upon; as, hail beats against the roof

   Etymology: [OE. agens, ageynes, AS. ongegn. The s is adverbial, orig. a genitive ending. See Again.]

3. Against

   in opposition to, whether the opposition is of sentiment or of action; on the other side; counter to; in contrariety to; hence, adverse to; as, against reason; against law; to run a race against time

   Etymology: [OE. agens, ageynes, AS. ongegn. The s is adverbial, orig. a genitive ending. See Again.]

4. Against

   by of before the time that; in preparation for; so as to be ready for the time when

   Etymology: [OE. agens, ageynes, AS. ongegn. The s is adverbial, orig. a genitive ending. See Again.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Against

   Against is the seventh studio album by the Brazilian metal band Sepultura, released in 1998 through Roadrunner Records. It is the band's first release with new frontman Derrick Green, who replaced group founder Max Cavalera in 1997.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Against

   a-genst′, also a-gānst′, prep. opposite to: in opposition to: in contact or collision with: in provision for: in exchange for, instead of: (B. and Shak.) by the time that, elliptically for 'against (the time) at which' or 'that I come.' [Formed from again, with genitive ending -es, as whilst from while—the -t being a later addition, as in amongs-t, amids-t, &c.]

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'against' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #137

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'against' in Written Corpus Frequency: #366

How to pronounce against?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say against in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of against in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of against in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of against in a Sentence

1. Bruce Springsteen:

   All my work was informed by my years in Catholic school, all that redemption, damnation, all the Martin Scorsese films. ... As I got older I stopped fighting against it. Now I draw on it and enjoy it. Theres no greater well to draw on than myths of Catholicism. Everything is in there.

2. Beverly Tatum:

   People sometimes think,' Well, I'm not calling anyone names or doing anything hateful, [ so ] I have no responsibility,' but the system of this web that surrounds all of us is reinforced by silence. So you have to speak up against it in the places where you are.

3. Mullah Badruddin:

   I love cricket, when Afghanistan play against another team, we listen to the radio with great interest and we also check for scores in social media and follow those in Facebook who give live updates.

4. Sorel Vorster:

   The main concern about this condition is we want to warn patients that they shouldn’t go for surgery just because they have a report from the radiologist that states Chiari because it doesn’t always require treatment, very often Chiari is an incidental finding and if they don’t need immediate surgery we caution against it.

5. President Barack Obama:

   Right now, people on the No-Fly list can walk into a store and buy a gun. That is insane. If you're too dangerous to board a plane, you're too dangerous, by definition, to buy a gun, and so I'm calling on Congress to close this loophole, now. We may not be able to prevent every tragedy, but -- at a bare minimum -- we shouldn't be making it so easy for potential terrorists or criminals to get their hands on a gun that they could use against Americans.

Images & Illustrations of against

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