oppose

/ə-ˈpōz/

Middle English opposen "to question, examine, accuse" (as past participle opposed "opposite, contrary"), borrowed from Anglo-French opposer "to counter, argue in opposition, question, interrogate," re-formation, with poser "to place, ," of Latin oppōnere (perfect opposuī, past participle oppositus) "to place (over or against), place as an obstacle, set in opposition to, argue in reply," from ob- ob-pōnere "to place, set"

verb

  1. to place over against something so as to provide resistance, counterbalance, or contrast

  2. to place opposite or against something

  3. to offer resistance to

one military force opposed to another

oppose combat resist withstand mean to set oneself against someone or something. oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare. combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something.