逆らう|さからうsakarau[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. godan verb, intransitive verbto go against; to oppose; to disobey; to defy
   彼かれは世よの風潮ふうちょうに逆さからう。↗

   He is swimming against the tide.

• Synonym楯突くたてつくCasualColloquial: talking back to or defying a superior or elder, as in 「親に楯突く」. It carries a negative shade, while 「逆らう」 is more neutral.
• Synonym歯向かうはむかうNeutralResisting someone stronger, as in 「権力に歯向かう」; it stresses the weak standing up to the strong.
• Synonym背くそむくNeutralGoing against orders or rules, or betraying, as in 「命令に背く」. The emphasis is on violation, not necessarily open confrontation.
• Synonym抵抗ていこうNeutralResisting an outside force or power, and also a feeling of reluctance or aversion, as in 「抵抗がある」.
• Synonym反するはんするNeutralBeing contrary to something, or violating rules, as in 「規則に反する」. Somewhat written/formal; the emphasis is on running counter to something.
• Synonym反抗はんこうNeutralDefying elders or authority, as in 「反抗期」. Close to 「逆らう」 but mostly used as a noun.
• Synonym立ち向かうたちむかうNeutralBravely facing up to difficulties or a strong opponent; it carries a positive sense of taking on a challenge.
• Synonym抗うあらがうWrittenWritten/formal prose: resisting or defying, often fate or trends, as in 「運命に抗う」. It has a literary flavor.
• Synonym手向かうてむかうNeutralFighting back or resisting, and can also mean defying orders, but rare today; 「歯向かう」 or 「逆らう」 is usual.
• Related反対はんたいNeutralExpressing opposition to an opinion or plan, as in 「計画に反対する」. It is about taking a stance, not defying an order.
• Related対抗たいこうNeutralContending with a rival in order to win; the emphasis is on competition, not disobedience.
• Related争うあらそうWrittenSame word as 「抗う」: when written 「争う」 it is still read 「あらがう」 and means resisting a force that is hard to defy; more written/formal than 「逆らう」.
• Related敵対てきたいNeutralTreating someone as an enemy and opposing them; the focus is the hostile relationship, while 「逆らう」 focuses on noncompliance.
• Related戦うたたかうNeutralFighting, struggling, or competing; a much broader word, whereas 「逆らう」 centres on not going along, whether with orders or with a wind or current.
• Related違反いはんNeutralBreaking rules or laws, as in 「交通違反」. It centers on the violation itself and does not imply open defiance.
• Related抗戦こうせんWrittenWritten/formal prose: resisting by fighting, as in 「徹底抗戦」. Mostly used for war.
• Related抗するこうするWrittenWritten/formal prose: opposing, as in 「時流に抗する」. Rare in modern usage.
• Related違背いはいWrittenWritten/formal prose: violating orders or promises. Rare today; 「違反」 is the usual word.
• Related諍ういさかうWrittenSame as 「抗う」: written 「諍う」 it is read 「あらがう」 and means resisting — not the quarreling sense read 「いさかう」.
• Related抗命こうめいWrittenWritten/formal prose: disobeying an order, mostly in military contexts; a narrow term.
• Antonym従うしたがうNeutralAntonym: to obey or comply; the opposite of 「逆らう」.
• Antonym服従するNeutralAntonym: to obey orders; the opposite of 「逆らう」 in its sense of defying.

Use 「逆らう」 for not obeying or going against someone, and also for moving against the wind or current. For talking back to a superior, use 「楯突く」; for breaking rules, 「背く」 or 「違反」; for resisting an outside force, 「抵抗」. 「抗う」 is a literary choice for resisting fate or trends. The opposite is 「従う」.

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

1. 流ながれに対たいして逆向ぎゃくむきに進すすむ。
2. 反抗はんこうする。従したがわない。