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Added 9 October 2026

against

/əˈɡɛnst/ preposition

In Latin: contra, in Wiktionary

preposition Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about against at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

In a contrary direction to.
It is hard work to swim against the current.
In physical opposition to; in collision with.
The rain pounds against the window.
In physical contact with, so as to abut or be supported by.
The ladder was leaning against the wall.

conjunction

By the time that (something happened); before.

Origin

Formed from Middle English ayenes, agenes, againes (“in opposition to”), a southern variant of agen, or directly from again, either way with adverbial genitive singular ending -es; the parasitic -t was added circa 1350, probably by confusion with the superlative ending -est. By surface analysis, again + -st (excrescent ending). Cognate with Saterland Frisian juun (“against”), West Frisian tsjin (“against”), Dutch tegen (“against”), German Low German gegen (“against”), German gegen (“against”), Icelandic gegn (“against”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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