Phrase guide

go against

verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To violate; to breach; to break.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • What he did goes against the rules.
  • This sentence goes against English grammar.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To be unfavourable to someone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • What she said in court today went against them.
  • The court's decision went against them.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To be contrary to a trend, feeling or principle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • This goes against my instincts.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To oppose; to resist.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He dared not go against the King.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

resist

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • buck the trend

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: buck

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: react, oppose

6

verb

Meaning 6

act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • offend all laws of humanity
  • violate the basic laws or human civilization
  • break a law
  • break a promise

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: transgress, offend, infract, violate, breach, break

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: disrespect

Narrower terms: sin, transgress, trespass, drop the ball, blunder, boob, goof, conflict, run afoul, infringe, contravene, intrude

7

verb

Meaning 7

fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • This sentence violates the rules of syntax

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: violate, break

Antonyms: none provided

Narrower terms: fly in the face of, fly in the teeth of

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

26 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 違反 /违反 (wéifǎn) — to violate; breach
  • Chinese Mandarin: 破壞 /破坏 (pòhuài) — to violate; breach
  • Chinese Mandarin: 違背 /违背 (wéibèi) — to violate; breach
  • Chinese Mandarin: 不符合 (bù fúhé) — to violate; breach
  • Finnish: rikkoa — to violate; breach
  • Spanish: ir en contra de — to violate; breach
  • Chinese Mandarin: 不利 (bùlì) — to be unfavourable to someone
  • Chinese Mandarin: 危害 (wēihài) — to be unfavourable to someone
  • Finnish: olla vastaan — to be unfavourable to someone
  • Spanish: ir en contra de — to be unfavourable to someone
  • Chinese Mandarin: 違反 /违反 (wéifǎn) — to be contrary to a trend, feeling
  • Chinese Mandarin: 違背 /违背 (wéibèi) — to be contrary to a trend, feeling
  • Finnish: olla vastoin — to be contrary to a trend, feeling
  • Finnish: sotia vastaan — to be contrary to a trend, feeling
  • Spanish: ir en contra de — to be contrary to a trend, feeling
  • Thai: ฝืน (fʉ̌ʉn) — to be contrary to a trend, feeling
  • Chinese Mandarin: 反對 /反对 (fǎnduì) — to oppose; resist
  • Chinese Mandarin: 抵抗 (dǐkàng) — to oppose; resist
  • Chinese Mandarin: 對抗 /对抗 (duìkàng) — to oppose; resist
  • Chinese Mandarin: 違抗 /违抗 (wéikàng) — to oppose; resist
  • Finnish: vastustaa — to oppose; resist
  • Ancient Greek: ἐπέρχομαι (epérkhomai) — to oppose; resist
  • Spanish: ir en contra de — to oppose; resist
  • Spanish: oponerse — to oppose; resist
  • Spanish: contrariar — to oppose; resist
  • Thai: ขัด (kàt) — to oppose; resist