Against as a preposition

Against is a preposition. When you do something against somebody or something, you oppose them or it.

• Human rights organizations have been campaigning against the death penalty.
• Are you against internet censorship?

When you play against somebody, you try to defeat them.

• Argentina lost the World Cup final match against Germany.
• We must fight against the anti-social elements that lead our kids astray.

Count against

If something counts against you, it causes you to have a disadvantage.

• She is 45, so her age may count against her.

If someone turns against you, they become unfriendly towards you.

• No one thought that he would turn against his own brother.

When you lean against a wall, you touch it.

If there is a law against something it is illegal.

• The country does have some legislation against child labor.

If you swim against the current, you move in the opposite direction.

• They were sailing against a strong wind.

As against

• Why is there a preference for boys as against girls in many Asian countries?

Here is a list of idiomatic expressions using the word against.

Against the law

If something is against the law, it is not allowed by the law.

• It is against the law to smoke in public places.

Against your will

If you do something against your will, you do it, although you do not want to do it.

• Martha married her father’s friend against her will.
• No one should be forced to leave their home against their will.

Against someone’s wishes/advice

If someone does something against your wishes, they do it although you do not want them to do it.

• She married her boyfriend against her father’s wishes