oponer
verbCEFR B2
What does “oponer” mean in English?
to counter, to oppose
to counter, to oppose (oponer un argumento a otro — putting a counter-argument against a claim; transitive and distinct from reflexive oponerse)
Example sentences
Los críticos oponen a este argumento que los datos estadísticos no respaldan las conclusiones del autor.
The critics counter this argument by pointing out that the statistical data does not support the author's conclusions.
Me opongo firmemente a que se apruebe esta medida sin una consulta pública previa.
I firmly oppose the measure being approved without a prior public consultation.
How to use it
Oponer (and its reflexive oponerse a) covers two distinct B2 debate moves. (1) Transitive: 'oponer un argumento a otro' — to set one argument against another, to counter with. The frame is 'oponer A a B' (oponer objeciones a una propuesta). (2) Reflexive: 'oponerse a + noun/infinitive' — to oppose, to be against. The key L1 trap: English 'oppose' maps cleanly to oponerse a, but 'oponer' (without se) means 'to put forward as a counterargument', not 'to oppose'. In formal debate, 'los críticos oponen que…' means 'the critics counter by saying that…' — it introduces a rebuttal move, not a statement of general opposition.
Common mistake
Don't use the bare 'oponer' to mean 'to be against' — that requires 'oponerse a'. Also: 'oponerse a que + subjunctive' (not indicative) because the opposition is directed at a potential or proposed event, not an established fact.