<p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>hostile or resistant (usually followed by to): At a town hall meeting about the proposed desalination plant, most speakers were opposed, citing high costs and the effect on marine life.</li><li>having contrary effects; operating at cross-purposes: How do we interpret these seemingly opposed trends—away from organized religion and toward the formation of strong spiritual beliefs?</li><li>set against or contrasted with something else or with each other; viewed as contrary or competing: The opposed images on the book’s title page represent the two very different understandings of “home” featured in the narrative.</li><li>situated, existing, or growing in opposite directions: There are two diametrically opposed arrows on the signpost, and we have no idea which one to follow.</li></ul>