/əˈpoʊzɪz/
Say it backOpposes is a verb meaning to disagree with or resist something, or to act in opposition. It often appears in contexts where someone takes a contrary stance or conflicts with another idea, proposal, or action. In plural form as opposed to singular, the word can function in various tenses (opposes, opposed, opposing).
"The council opposes the proposed zoning changes."
"She opposes the policy change but offers alternative solutions."
"Several critics oppose the plan, citing potential risks."
Pronounce as /ˈɒp.əʊ.zɪz/ in UK and US, with primary stress on the first syllable. The sequence starts with an open back rounded vowel in the first syllable, then a mid-to-high back diphthong in the second, and finishes with a voiced z and a short /ɪz/ cluster. Tip: keep the /z/ voicing clear before the final /ɪz/ to avoid blending into /z/ or /s/ sounds. Audio references: Cambridge and Oxford audio dictionaries provide native pronunciation models. IPA: US /ˈɑː.pˌoʊ.zɪz/ and UK /ˈɒp.əʊ.zɪz/ depending on accent, with Australian /ˈɒp.əʊ.zɪz/.
Common errors: 1) Dropping the second syllable vowel, producing /ˈɒp.zɪz/; fix by articulating the /əʊ/ in the second syllable clearly. 2) De-voicing the final -s, yielding /ˈɒp.əʊ.zɪz/ with a weaker end; ensure the final /z/ is voiced. 3) Merging /p/ and /oʊ/ into a single sound; separate the consonant-vowel boundary with a short hold on /p/ before the /əʊ/. Practice with a slow, deliberate syllable break: /ˈɒp.əʊ.zɪz/.
US: typically /ˈɑː.poʊ.zɪz/ with rhotacized or non-rhotacized depending on speaker; clear /oʊ/ diphthong in second syllable. UK: /ˈɒp.əʊ.zɪz/ with non-rhotic r and broader /ɒ/ then /əʊ/; AU: /ˈɒpəʊ.zɪz/ similar to UK but with Australian vowel shifts, often slightly flatter and with final z more voiced.
The difficulty lies in the sequence of two unstressed syllables following a stressed initial syllable, creating a rapid /əʊ/ glide transitioning into /z/ and /ɪz/. The /z/ must be clearly voiced to avoid blending into /s/. Additionally, many speakers misplace the primary stress or nasalize the vowel due to speaking rate; focus on a stable /ˈɒp.əʊ.zɪz/ with crisp /z/.
Yes. The primary stress is on the first syllable: /ˈɒp.əʊ.zɪz/. The second syllable contains the /əʊ/ diphthong and should be clearly enunciated, not reduced. Final -es adds a /z/; ensure the vowel before is not elided. In connected speech, you may hear slight reduction to /ˈɒpˌəʊzɪz/ with secondary emphasis on the second syllable in contrastive contexts.
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US: rhotic accent can influence the /ɹ/ rhythm in connected speech even when not in the word; the vowel /əʊ/ tends to be a strong diphthong, and final /z/ remains fully voiced. UK: non-rhotic, shorter /ɒ/ in first syllable, clearer /əʊ/ in second; AU: vowel shifts can brighten /ɒ/ and lighten the /əʊ/; maintain non-rhoticity especially in clusters after pauses. Use IPA: US /ˈɑː.poʊ.zɪz/, UK /ˈɒp.əʊ.zɪz/, AU /ˈɒpəʊ.zɪz/. Focus on keeping the /z/ fully voiced and avoiding /s/ substitutions.
Oppose comes from Old French oppose, from Latin opponere, meaning to place against or to oppose. The Latin oppōnere combines ob- (toward) with pōnere (to place, set). The noun form opposition derives from the same root. English early borrowings included oppose in the 14th century, maintaining the sense of placing against in a physical or argumentative sense. Over time, oppose evolved to cover abstract resistance (opposing ideas or policies) as well as direct confrontation. The present tense third-person singular opposes gained usage as the standard conjugation in modern English, reflecting the verb’s shift toward habitual, ongoing opposition. By the 18th–19th centuries, the term was well established in political and rhetorical discourse, with frequent collocation with “opponent,” “opposition,” and “opposing forces.” In contemporary usage, opposes preserves both literal and figurative senses, appearing in legal, political, and everyday discussions.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "opposes" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "opposes" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "opposes"
-ses sounds
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