Translate against | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of against
preposition
1in opposition to:the fight against crime he decided against immediate publication swimming against the tide in opposition to, with reference to legal action:allegations against police officers the first victim gave evidence against him in opposition to, with reference to an athletic contest:the championship game against Virginia (in betting) in anticipation of the failure of:the odds were 5-1 against Pittsburgh
2in anticipation of and preparation for (a problem or difficulty):insurance against sickness and unemployment in resistance to; as protection from:he turned up his collar against the wind in relation to (an amount of money owed or due) so as to reduce or cancel it:money was advanced against the value of the property
3in conceptual contrast to:the benefits must be weighed against the costs the instilling of habits as against the development of understanding in visual contrast to:he was silhouetted against the light of the window
4in or into physical contact with (something), typically so as to be supported by or collide with it:she stood with her back against the door his lips brushed against her hair
