opposable

adjective

op·​pos·​able ə-ˈpō-zə-bəl How to pronounce opposable (audio)
1
: capable of being opposed or resisted
2
: capable of being placed against one or more of the remaining digits of a hand or foot
the opposable human thumb
opposability
ə-ˌpō-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce opposable (audio)
noun

Examples of opposable in a Sentence

Humans have an opposable thumb.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hands, in contrast, are not at all symmetrical, with fingers of different lengths and an opposable thumb. — Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 8 Oct. 2026 Opossums have opposable big toes on the hind foot, so the tracks will look like little hands with widely-spread fingers. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 And then there are those paws which, despite a lack of opposable thumbs, are remarkably agile. — Shoshi Parks, Popular Science, 10 June 2026 Others, like a hoary line about cats being baffled by why people are always scooping litter, make no sense in a universe where cats have opposable thumbs and speak human language. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opposable

Word History

Etymology

oppose + -able

First Known Use

circa 1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of opposable was circa 1812

Rhymes for opposable

See All Rhymes for opposable

Browse Nearby Words

opposability
opposable
opposal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Opposable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opposable. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

opposable

adjective
op·​pos·​able ə-ˈpō-zə-bəl How to pronounce opposable (audio)
: capable of being placed against one or more of the remaining digits of a hand or foot
the opposable human thumb

Medical Definition

opposable

adjective
op·​pos·​able ə-ˈpō-zə-bəl How to pronounce opposable (audio)
: capable of being placed against one or more of the remaining digits of a hand or foot
an opposable thumb
opposability
-ˌpō-zə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce opposable (audio)
noun
plural opposabilities
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