対する|たいするtaisuru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. suru verb (irregular)to face (each other); to be facing
2. suru verb (irregular)to be directed toward (the future, etc.); to be in response to; to be related to
3. suru verb (irregular)to receive (a client, etc.)
4. suru verb (irregular)to compare with; to contrast with; to be in opposition with; to be opposed to
5. suru verb (irregular)to confront; to oppose; to compete with

• Synonym向かい合うむかいあうNeutralFor two people or things facing each other, as in 「向かい合って座る」; it can also mean facing up to reality, while 「対する」 also covers being directed at an object.
• Synonym面するめんするNeutralFor a building etc. facing or looking out on something, as in 「海に面する」; mostly about location, and does not express being aimed at someone.
• Synonym正対せいたいWrittenWritten word for facing someone head-on; seen mostly in sports and technical writing. In everyday speech 「向かい合う」 is the usual choice.
• Synonym相対するあいたいするWrittenMeans facing each other or standing in opposition, as in 「相対する意見」; stresses the two opposing sides more strongly than 「対する」.
• Related立ち向かうたちむかうNeutralBravely confronts difficulties or enemies head-on, as in 「困難に立ち向かう」; carries a positive sense of fighting back that 「対する」 lacks.
• Related向かうむかうNeutralFaces a direction or heads for a destination, as in 「駅に向かう」; also for directing words at someone, as in 「人に向かって文句を言う」. The focus is on direction.
• Related楯突くたてつくCasualColloquial for defying or talking back, usually to superiors, elders or rules, as in 「親に楯突く」; has a negative shade, while 「対する」 is itself neutral.
• Related直面ちょくめんNeutralBeing brought face to face with a difficulty or problem, as in 「危機に直面する」; what one faces is typically a grave situation.
• Related敵対てきたいNeutralTreats the other side as an enemy, as in 「敵対関係」; used only for hostile relations, whereas 「対する」 can be neutral, matter-of-fact targeting.
• Related取り組むとりくむNeutralTackles a problem in earnest, as in 「課題に取り組む」; the emphasis is on working to solve it, while 「対する」 just marks the object one targets, faces or responds to.
• Related向き合うむきあうNeutralMeans facing each other, or seriously facing a problem or oneself, as in 「自分と向き合う」; implies not running away from it.
• Related抵抗ていこうNeutralResists outside force or defies authority, as in 「抵抗する」 or 「空気抵抗」; devoted to the idea of resistance, which 「対する」 does not include.
• Related争うあらそうWrittenThe same 「抗う（あらがう）」 as above, also written 「争う」; resists or defies, often with abstract objects such as fate or trends.
• Related対向たいこうNeutralFacing each other, seen mostly in compounds like 「対向車」 and 「対向車線」; not used for the sense of being aimed at an object.
• Related反抗はんこうNeutralDefies elders or authority, as in 「反抗期」 or 「親に反抗する」; specifically about disobedience, while 「対する」 is neutral.
• Related臨むのぞむWrittenWritten word for facing an occasion or overlooking scenery, as in 「試合に臨む」 or 「海に臨む」; carries a solemn tone.
• Related逆らうさからうNeutralGoes against or defies, as in 「流れに逆らう」 or 「親に逆らう」; specifically about not obeying, a sense 「対する」 does not have.
• Related対抗たいこうNeutralCompeting with an opponent to win, as in 「対抗意識」 or 「対抗策」; the emphasis is on rivalry and contest.
• Related対戦たいせんNeutralMeeting an opponent in a match or battle, as in 「強豪と対戦する」; centers on the clash between the two sides.
• Related歯向かうはむかうCasualColloquial for rising against or talking back to someone stronger, as in 「上司に歯向かう」; strongly defiant and often disapproving.
• Related抗うあらがうWrittenWritten word for resisting or defying, as in 「運命に抗う」, with a literary flavor; 「対する」 itself carries no sense of resistance.
• Related対すたいすWrittenThe old godan form of 「対する」 with the same uses; seen mainly in classical texts and literary style.
• Antonym無視するNeutralAntonym: ignores something or treats it as not worth a response — the opposite of 「対する」 when it means addressing or answering an object.

Use 「対する」 for being directed at or facing an object, usually as 「に対して」. For two things facing each other say 「向かい合う」; for seriously facing a problem, 「向き合う」; for defying, 「逆らう」; for bravely taking on a challenge, 「立ち向かう」. The others: direction and position (「向かう」「面する」「臨む」「対向」), resistance (「抵抗」「抗う」「楯突く」「歯向かう」「反抗」), rivalry (「対抗」「対戦」「敵対」), earnest effort (「取り組む」), confronting a grave situation (「直面」), and written words (「正対」「相対する」「対す」). 「無視する」 is the antonym: ignoring rather than responding.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. あるものを行為こういの目的もくてき又または目標もくひょうとする。対象たいしょうとする。向むける。
2. 対応たいおうする。応おうじる。反応はんのうする。
3. 向かい合むかいあう。向き合むきあう。対峙たいじする。
4. 応対おうたいする。応接おうせつする。
5. 対戦たいせんする。相手あいてとして戦たたかう。
6. 比較ひかくする。対比たいひされる。対照たいしょうされる。