osteggiare
to oppose
verb oh-steh-JAH-reh Rare
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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