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osteggiare

to oppose

verb oh-steh-JAH-reh Rare
People & Society Politics

Origin: From Latin hostis ('enemy') via a derived form.

Also means

to obstruct

Usage Note

Osteggiare is a formal verb meaning to actively oppose, obstruct, or work against someone or something. It is stronger than opporsi a and implies sustained hostility. Il progetto è stato osteggiato dalla maggioranza = 'The project was opposed by the majority'. It belongs to written and journalistic registers; in speech, ostacolare or essere contrario a are more common.

Examples

"Il governo ha osteggiato la riforma fin dall'inizio."

Natural Translation

The government opposed the reform from the start.

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