opposite
Opposite can be a preposition, a noun, or an adjective.
used as a preposition
If one building or room is opposite another, they are separated from each other by a street or corridor.
The hotel is opposite a railway station.
The bathroom was located opposite my room.
If two people are opposite each other, they are facing each other, for example when they are sitting at the same table.
Lynn was sitting opposite him.
He drank half his coffee, still staring at the Englishman opposite him.
Speakers of American English usually say across from rather than ‘opposite’ in both of the above senses.
Stinson has rented a home across from his parents.
He took a seat on one side of the table, and Judy sat across from him.
used as a noun
If two things or people are totally different from each other in some way, you can say that one is the opposite of the other.
The opposite of right is wrong.
He was the exact opposite of Ariel, of course.
You can use the opposite without ‘of’, if it is clear what you are making a contrast with.
Well, whatever he says you can be sure he's thinking the opposite.
They believe the statement because the opposite is unimaginable.
Be careful
You cannot express difference by saying that one thing or person is ‘opposite’ another.
You cannot express difference by saying that one thing or person is ‘opposite’ another.
used as an adjective
Opposite can be an adjective either in front of a noun or after a noun, but with different meanings.
You use opposite in front of a noun when you are mentioning one of two sides of something.
I was moved to a room on the opposite side of the corridor.
On the opposite side of the room a telephone rang.
You also use opposite in front of a noun when you are talking about something that is totally different from something else in some way.
Holmes took the opposite point of view.
Too much pressure would produce overheating, whereas too little would produce the opposite result.
You use opposite after a noun when you are mentioning someone or something that is on the other side of a street, corridor, room, or table from yourself.
The elderly woman opposite glanced up at the window.
In one of the new houses opposite, a party was in progress.
A building can be referred to as, for example, ‘the house on the opposite side of the street’ or ‘the house opposite’. Don't refer to it as ‘the opposite house’.
‘opposed’
Don't confuse opposite with opposed. If someone is opposed to something, they disagree with it or disapprove of it.
I am opposed to capital punishment.