Definitions for against
əˈgɛnst, əˈgeɪnstagainst

Wiktionary(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. againstconjunction

   By the time that (something happened); before.

2. againstpreposition

   In a contrary direction to.

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

3. againstpreposition

   Close to.

4. againstpreposition

   In front of; before a background.

   The giant was silhouetted against the door.

5. againstpreposition

   In physical contact with.

   The puppy rested its head against a paw.

6. againstpreposition

   In physical opposition to, or in collision with.

   The rain pounds against the window.

7. againstpreposition

   In contrast and/or comparison with.

   He stands out against his local classmates

8. againstpreposition

   In competition with, versus.

   The Tigers will play against the Bears this weekend.

9. againstpreposition

   In opposition to.

10. againstpreposition

    In exchange for.

11. againstpreposition

    As counterbalance to.

12. againstpreposition

    As a charge on.

13. againstpreposition

    As protection from.

    He turned the umbrella against the wind.

14. againstpreposition

    Exposed to.

15. againstpreposition

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

16. 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.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Againstprep.

   Etymology: ængeon, ongeond, Sax.

   1. In opposition to any person.

   And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. Gen. xvi. 12.

   2. Contrary; opposite, in general.

   That authority of men should prevail with men either against or above reason, is no part of our belief. Richard Hooker.

   He is melancholy without cause, and merry against the hair. William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida.

   We might work any effect without and against matter; and this not holpen by the co-operation of angels or spirits, but only by the unity and harmony of nature. Francis Bacon, Natural Hist.

   The preventing goodness of God does even wrest him from himself, and save him, as it were, against his will. South.

   The god, uneasy till he slept again,
   Resolv’d, at once, to rid himself of pain;
   And, tho’ against his custom, call’d aloud,
   Exciting Morpheus from the sleepy crowd. Dryden.

   Men often say a thing is against their conscience, when really it is not. Jonathan Swift, Miscellanies.

   3. In contradiction to any opinion.

   After all that can be said against a thing, this will still be true, that many things possibly are, which we know not of; and that many more things may be than are: and if so, after all our arguments against a thing, it will be uncertain whether it be or not. John Tillotson.

   The church-clergy have written the best collection of tracts against popery, that ever appeared in England. Jonathan Swift.

   4. With contrary motion or tendency; used of material action.

   Boils and plagues
   Plaister you o’er, that you may be abhorr’d
   Farther than seen, and one infect another
   Against the wind a mile. William Shakespeare, Coriolanus.

   The kite being a bird of prey, and therefore hot, delighteth in the fresh air; and many times flieth against the wind, as trouts and salmons swim against the stream. Francis Bacon.

   5. Contrary to rule or law.

   If aught against my life
   Thy country sought of thee, it sought unjustly,
   Against the law of nature, law of nations. John Milton, Sam. Agon.

   Against the public sanctions of the peace,
   Against all omens of their ill success;
   With fates averse, the rout in arms resort,
   To force their monarch, and insult the court. John Dryden, Æn.

   6. Opposite to, in place.

   Against the Tiber’s mouth, but far away. Dryden.

   7. To the hurt of another.

   And when thou think’st of her eternity,
   Think not that death against her nature is;
   Think it a birth: and when thou go’st to die,
   Sing like a swan, as if thou went’st to bliss. John Davies.

   8. In provision for; in expectation of. This mode of speaking probably had its original from the idea of making provision against, or in opposition to a time of misfortune, but by degrees acquired a neutral sense.

   Thence she them brought into a stately hall,
   Wherein were many tables fair dispred,
   And ready dight with drapets festival,
   Against the viands should be ministred. Fairy Queen.

   The like charge was given them against the time they should come to settle themselves in the land promised unto their fathers. Richard Hooker, b. v. § 11.

   Some say, that ever ’gainst that season comes,
   Wherein our Saviour’s birth is celebrated,
   The bird of dawning singeth all night long:
   And then they say no spirit walks abroad;
   The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike,
   No fairy tales, no witch hath power to charm;
   So hallowed and so gracious is the time. William Shakespeare, Hamlet.

   To that purpose, he made haste to Bristol, that all things might be ready against the prince came thither. Edward Hyde.

   Against the promis’d time provides with care,
   And hastens in the woof, the robes he was to wear. Dryd.

   All which I grant to be reasonably and truly said, and only desire they may be remembered against another day. Edward Stillingfleet.

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

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

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

4. Against

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

5. 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

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

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. Paul Gosar:

   I do not espouse violence or harm towards any Member of Congress or Mr. Biden, the video depicts the fight taking place next week on the House floor and symbolizes the battle for the soul of America when Congress takes up Mr. Biden’s massive $4 trillion spending bill that includes amnesty for millions of illegal aliens already in our country and was not meant to depict any harm or violence against anyone portrayed in the anime.

2. Santosh Nayak:

   It was race against time to save the life of the patient, who had come to the hospital with severe injury with a steel rod sticking out from his chest on [his] right side, the success can be attributed to the speed and teamwork by all departments and staff concerned.

3. Alan Krause:

   They are competing against the forces of nature, against air.

4. Ricardo Juarez:

   We're not asking for a wage increase, we want a series of norms and decrees that go against mining workers eliminated.

5. Robert Martin:

   This is really part of our competitive armoury to compete against the other big guys.

Popularity rank by frequency of use