Next vs. Opposite: What's the Difference?

By Harlon Moss & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 20, 2024

Next refers to something immediately following or adjacent, while opposite indicates something completely different or on the other side.

Key Differences

Next implies proximity in sequence or location. For instance, the next item on a list follows the current one. In contrast, opposite denotes a stark contrast or placement directly across from something else, like opposite sides of a street.

Next can refer to time, such as the next day, indicating the day immediately following today. Conversely, opposite is used to describe something that is completely different in nature, such as hot being the opposite of cold.

In spatial terms, next suggests something adjacent or very close by, like the next door neighbor. Opposite, however, signifies facing each other or being on different sides, like two people sitting on opposite sides of a table.

Next often implies a progression or continuation, such as next steps in a process. On the other hand, opposite often indicates a contrast or contradiction, such as opinions being opposite in nature.

Next can also be used to show rank or order, such as the next in line. Opposite, meanwhile, is used to highlight differences, such as opposite characteristics in personalities.

Comparison Chart

Meaning

Immediately following

Completely different or across

Time Reference

Implies subsequent time

Implies contrast in attributes

Spatial Reference

Adjacent or nearby

Facing or across from

Usage in Sequence

Indicates continuation

Indicates contrast

Order or Rank

Next in line

Different in nature

Next and Opposite Definitions

Coming immediately after in time.

The next train arrives at 5 PM.

Opposite

Contrary in direction or movement.

They walked in opposite directions.

Immediately following in order or rank.

She is next in line for promotion.

Opposite

Placed or located directly across from something else or from each other

Opposite sides of a building.

Following in a series.

The next chapter is more interesting.

Opposite

Facing the other way; moving or tending away from each other

Opposite directions.

Adjacent or close to.

The library is next to the school.

Opposite

Being the other of two complementary or mutually exclusive things

The opposite sex.

An opposite role to the lead in the play.

Nearest in space or position.

He sat in the next seat.

Opposite

Altogether different, as in nature, quality, or significance

The effect of the medication was opposite to that intended.

Nearest in space or position; adjacent

The next room.

Opposite

Sharply contrasting; antithetical

Had opposite views on the subject.

Immediately following, as in time, order, or sequence

Next week.

The next item on the list.

Opposite

Growing in pairs on either side of a stem

Opposite leaves.

In the time, order, or place nearest or immediately following

Reading this book next.

Our next oldest child.

Opposite

Arranged on the same radius as another part, as stamens and petals.

On the first subsequent occasion

When next I write.

Opposite

One that is opposite or contrary to another.

The next person or thing

The next will be better.

Opposite

An opponent or antagonist.

In place or position, having nothing similar intervening; adjoining.

The man in the next bunk kept me awake all night with his snoring.

She lives a mile or two away, in the next village.

Opposite

An antonym.

(obsolete) Most direct, or shortest or nearest in distance or time.

Opposite

In an opposite position

They sat opposite at the table.

Nearest in order, succession, or rank; immediately following (or sometimes preceding) in order.

Please turn to the next page.

On Wednesday next, I'm going to Spain.

The next chapter; the next week; the Sunday next before Easter

The man was driven by his love for money and his desire to become the next Bill Gates.

Opposite

Across from or facing

Parked the car opposite the bank.

Nearest in relationship. next of kin.}}

Next friend

Opposite

In a complementary dramatic role to

He played opposite her.

Denotes the one immediately following the current or most recent one.

Next week would be a good time to meet.

I'll know better next time.

Opposite

Located directly across from something else, or from each other.

She saw him walking on the opposite side of the road.

(of days of the week or months of the year) Closest in the future, or closest but one if the closest is very soon; of days, sometimes thought to specifically refer to the instance closest to seven days (one week) in the future.

The party is next Tuesday; that is, not tomorrow, but eight days from now.

When you say next Thursday, do you mean Thursday this week or Thursday next week?

Opposite

(botany) Of leaves and flowers, positioned directly across from each other on a stem.

In a time, place, rank or sequence closest or following.

They live in the next closest house.

It's the next best thing to ice cream.

Opposite

Facing in the other direction.

They were moving in opposite directions.

(conjunctive) So as to follow in time or sequence something previously mentioned.

First we removed all the handles; next, we stripped off the old paint.

Opposite

Of either of two complementary or mutually exclusive things.

He is attracted to the opposite sex.

On the first subsequent occasion.

Financial panic, earthquakes, oil spills, riots. What comes next?

When we next meet, you'll be married.

Opposite

Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.

On the side of; nearest or adjacent to; next to.

Opposite

Something opposite or contrary to something else.

The one that follows after this one.

Next, please, don't hold up the queue!

One moment she was there, the next she wasn't.

The week after next

Opposite

A person or thing that is entirely different from or the reverse of someone or something else; used to show contrast between two people or two things.

She is the opposite of her ex-boyfriend who abused her both physically and verbally nearly every day for five years. She now works as an advocate and supportive listener for others who have endured abusive relationships.

Nearest in place; having no similar object intervening.

Her princely guestWas next her side; in order sat the rest.

Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next way.

Opposite

An opponent.

Nearest in time; as, the next day or hour.

Opposite

An antonym.

"Up" is the opposite of "down".

Adjoining in a series; immediately preceding or following in order.

None could tell whose turn should be the next.

Opposite

(mathematics) An additive inverse.

Nearest in degree, quality, rank, right, or relation; as, the next heir was an infant.

The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

Opposite

In an opposite position.

I was on my seat and she stood opposite.

Where's the bus station? -Over there, just opposite.

In the time, place, or order nearest or immediately succeeding; as, this man follows next.

Opposite

Facing, or across from.

He lives opposite the pub.

Nearest in space or position; immediately adjoining without intervening space;

Had adjacent rooms

In the next room

The person sitting next to me

Our rooms were side by side

Opposite

In a complementary role to.

He played opposite Marilyn Monroe.

(of elected officers) elected but not yet serving;

Our next president

Opposite

(television) On another channel at the same time.

The game show Just Men! aired opposite The Young and the Restless on CBS.

Immediately following in time or order;

The following day

Next in line

The next president

The next item on the list

Opposite

Placed over against; standing or situated over against or in front; facing; - often with to; as, a house opposite to the Exchange; the concert hall and the state theater stood opposite each other on the plaza.

At the time or occasion immediately following;

Next the doctor examined his back

Opposite

Situated on the other end of an imaginary line passing through or near the middle of an intervening space or object; - of one object with respect to another; as, the office is on the opposite side of town; - also used both to describe two objects with respect to each other; as, the stores were on opposite ends of the mall.

Opposite

Applied to the other of two things which are entirely different; other; as, the opposite sex; the opposite extreme; antonyms have opposite meanings.

Opposite

Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.

Novels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pleasure opposite to that which is designed in an epic poem.

Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite, significations.

Opposite

Set over against each other, but separated by the whole diameter of the stem, as two leaves at the same node.

Opposite

One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist.

The opposites of this day's strife.

Opposite

That which is opposed or contrary in character or meaning; as, sweetness and its opposite; up is the opposite of down.

The virtuous man meets with more opposites and opponents than any other.

Opposite

Two words that express opposing concepts;

To him the opposite of gay was depressed

Opposite

A relation of direct opposition;

We thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true

Opposite

A contestant that you are matched against

Opposite

Something inverted in sequence or character or effect;

When the direct approach failed he tried the inverse

Opposite

Being directly across from each other; facing;

And I on the opposite shore will be, ready to ride and spread the alarm

We lived on opposite sides of the street

At opposite poles

Opposite

Of leaves etc; growing in pairs on either side of a stem;

Opposite leaves

Opposite

Moving or facing away from each other;

Looking in opposite directions

They went in opposite directions

Opposite

The other one of a complementary pair;

The opposite sex

The two chess kings are set up on squares of opposite colors

Opposite

Altogether different in nature or quality or significance;

The medicine's effect was opposite to that intended

It is said that opposite characters make a union happiest

Opposite

Characterized by opposite extremes; completely opposed;

In diametric contradiction to his claims

Diametrical (or opposite) points of view

Opposite meanings

Extreme and indefensible polar positions

Opposite

Directly facing each other;

The two photographs lay face-to-face on the table

Lived all their lives in houses face-to-face across the street

They sat opposite at the table

Opposite

Positioned on the other side.

The bank is opposite the supermarket.

Opposite

Completely different.

Their views on politics are opposite.

Opposite

Contrary in nature or character.

They have opposite personalities.

Opposite

In a position facing something.

He lives in the house opposite mine.

FAQs

How do you use "next" in a sentence?

e.g., The next bus arrives in 10 minutes.

What does "next" mean in terms of sequence?

Next refers to the item or event immediately following the current one in a sequence.

How is "next" used in terms of location?

It refers to something situated adjacent to or very near another object.

How is "opposite" used to describe location?

Opposite is used to describe something situated across from or facing another object.

Does "opposite" always imply physical positioning?

No, opposite can also imply contrasting characteristics or qualities.

Is "next" used to show rank?

Yes, it can show rank, such as being next in line for a position.

What does "opposite" mean in terms of personality traits?

It refers to traits that are entirely different from one another.

Can "next" be used for time references?

Yes, next is often used to denote the subsequent time period, like the next day or next week.

What is a synonym for "opposite"?

A synonym could be "contrary."

What is an example of using "opposite" for characteristics?

e.g., Their opinions on the matter are completely opposite.

What does "opposite" indicate in a discussion?

Opposite indicates a completely different or contrasting opinion or idea.

Can "next" refer to spatial proximity?

Yes, next often refers to something nearby or adjacent.

How do you use "opposite" to describe direction?

e.g., They walked in opposite directions after the argument.

How do you use "next" in reference to sequence?

e.g., The next chapter in the book is thrilling.

Can "next" denote future events?

Yes, next often denotes events that will happen in the immediate future.

What does "next" imply in a sequence of events?

It implies the event that comes immediately after the current one.

Can "opposite" be used for abstract concepts?

Yes, opposite can describe abstract concepts that are in stark contrast.

What is a synonym for "next"?

A synonym could be "subsequent."

How do you describe something that is the "opposite" in color?

e.g., Black is the opposite of white.

What does "opposite" convey in relationships?

It conveys that the nature or dynamics of the relationship are completely different from another.

Specialise vs. Specialize

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About Author

Written by

Harlon Moss

Harlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.

Co-written by

Aimie Carlson

Aimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.