opposition
noun
ˌɒpəˈzɪʃn 
ˌɑːpəˈzɪʃn 
1 [uncountable] opposition (to somebody/something) the act of strongly disagreeing with somebody/something, especially with the aim of preventing something from happeningDelegates expressed strong opposition to the plans.The army met with fierce opposition in every town.We cannot back down at the first sign of opposition.He spent five years in prison for his opposition to the regime.opposition forces (= people who are arguing, fighting, etc. with another group)2 the opposition [singular + singular or plural verb] the people you are competing against in business, a competition, a game, etcHe's gone to work for the opposition.The opposition is/are mounting a strong challenge to our business.Liverpool couldn't match the opposition in the final and lost 2–0.3 the Opposition (North American English the opposition) [singular + singular or plural verb] the main political party that is opposed to the government; the political parties that are in a parliament but are not part of the governmentthe leader of the OppositionOpposition MPs/partiesthe Opposition spokesman on education4 [uncountable, countable] (formal) the state of being as different as possible; two things that are as different as possiblethe opposition between good and evilHis poetry is full of oppositions and contrasts.oppositional ˌɒpəˈzɪʃənl ˌɑːpəˈzɪʃənl Idioms
in opposition
(of a political party) forming part of a parliament but not part of the governmentThey returned to power after six years in opposition.in opposition to somebody/something
1 disagreeing strongly with somebody/something, especially with the aim of preventing something from happeningWe found ourselves in opposition to several colleagues on this issue.Protest marches were held in opposition to the proposed law.2 contrasting two people or things that are very differentLeisure is often defined in opposition to work.