appose vs oppose : Common Errors in English

About appose vs oppose

These two spellings originally meant the same thing, but now “appose” is a rare word having to do with placing one thing close to or on something else (compare with juxtapose). It mainly occurs today as an error spelling-checkers won’t catch when the word intended is “oppose,” meaning to be against something. If you object to a proposed course of action, you are opposed (not “apposed”) to it.

appose Meaning(s)

  • (v) place side by side or in close proximity

oppose Meaning(s)

  • (v) be against; express opposition to
  • (v) fight against or resist strongly
  • (v) contrast with equal weight or force
  • (v) set into opposition or rivalry
  • (v) act against or in opposition to
  • (v) be resistant to
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