oppositional

A child shows oppositional behavior by refusing to eat his vegetables.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Characterized by resistance or contrast: "oppositional" describes a tendency to act against, resist, or be in direct conflict with something, often as a deliberate stance.
   • In psychology: Refers to a pattern of defiant, hostile, or uncooperative behavior, especially in children or adolescents (e.g., oppositional defiant disorder).

Usage Examples

• (She consistently resisted agreeing with others.)
• (Their positions are directly contrary to each other.)
• (He frequently refused to follow rules or instructions.)

Advanced Usage

• "oppositional stance": a deliberate position of being against something.

  • The union took an oppositional stance toward the new contract. (They actively resisted the proposed terms.)

• "oppositional thinking": a cognitive pattern of seeing things in binary, conflicting terms.

  • Her oppositional thinking prevented her from seeing the middle ground. (She viewed issues as only "for" or "against.")

Variants and Related Words

• Opposition (n): the state of being against or in conflict with something.

  • There was strong opposition to the new law. (Many people actively resisted it.)

• Oppositional defiant disorder (n): a psychiatric condition characterized by persistent defiance and hostility.

  • The therapist diagnosed the child with oppositional defiant disorder. (A clinical term for chronic rebellious behavior.)

• Oppose (v): to act against or resist.

  • They oppose the proposed changes. (They are against them.)

Synonyms

• Antagonistic: showing active hostility or opposition.
• Adversarial: involving conflict or opposition, especially in a relationship.
• Contrary: opposite in nature or direction; unwilling to cooperate.
• Resistant: offering opposition to something.

Related Idioms

• "To swim against the tide": to oppose the general trend or opinion.

  • She always swims against the tide in meetings, questioning every decision. (She takes an oppositional stance to the majority.)

• "To be at odds with": to be in disagreement or conflict.

  • His views are at odds with the company policy. (They are oppositional to the established rules.)