to oppose / counter
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to oppose
To actively take a stand against someone or something; to resist or take an opposing position.
Die Anwohner setzten sich den Plänen für die neue Fabrik entschieden entgegen.
The residents firmly opposed the plans for the new factory.
'Entgegensetzen' (to oppose/counter) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'entgegen' comes at the end of the sentence. In the infinitive construction with 'zu', 'zu' comes between the prefix and the verb.
Der Redner setzte der Kritik starke Argumente entgegen.
The speaker countered the criticism with strong arguments.
The verb has two main patterns. Reflexive with the dative means to resist: 'sich jemandem/etwas (Dativ) entgegensetzen' (to oppose someone/something). Transitive with dative and accusative means to use something as a counterargument: 'jemandem/etwas (Dativ) etwas (Akkusativ) entgegensetzen' (to counter someone/something with something).
Die Mitarbeiter setzten sich dem neuen Chef entgegen.
The employees opposed the new boss.
In the reflexive form 'sich entgegensetzen' (to oppose), the verb always needs a dative object that names the opponent or the opposing matter.
Man sollte sich dem sozialen Druck nicht immer entgegensetzen.
One should not always oppose social pressure.
The expression 'nichts entgegenzusetzen haben' (to have nothing to counter with / to have no objection) is very common. It means that one has no counterarguments and agrees with something.
Gegen diesen Vorschlag hatte niemand etwas entgegenzusetzen.
No one had anything to counter this proposal with.
to contradict
'widersprechen' and 'entgegensetzen' are close when it comes to taking an opposing position. 'widersprechen' means that you do not agree with a person or statement. It is usually a direct verbal reaction. 'sich entgegensetzen' means more strongly that you actively oppose someone or something. Without 'sich', 'entgegensetzen' can also mean that you put forward a counterargument or opposing force. Learners may confuse the words because both express an opposite position. For a normal discussion, 'widersprechen' often fits. For active resistance or a deliberate counterargument, 'entgegensetzen' fits.
Vor dem Termin setzte sie den Bedenken des Teams klare Fakten entgegen.
Before the appointment, she countered the team's concerns with clear facts.
Im Gespräch widersprichst du dem Vorschlag, weil der Termin nicht passt.
In the conversation, you object to the proposal because the date does not work.