adversary

²ad·ver·sary

adj \ˈad-və(r)-ˌser-ē, -ˌse-rē\

Definition of ADVERSARY

1

: of, relating to, or involving an enemy or adversary

2

: having or involving antagonistic parties or opposing interests <divorce can be an adversary proceeding>

Examples of ADVERSARY

1. <there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations>
2. The quest for air superiority would come to include strikes on adversary airfields, but only as part of a larger effort also involving such staples as defensive fighter interception, offensive air sweeps, and escort missions with bombers designed to draw enemy fighters into battle. —John Prados, MHQ : The Quarterly Journal of Military History, Spring 1996
3. Critics of military justice complain that it is not a true adversary system because the JAG has authority over judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys and controls the funds of each. —Fred Strasser, National Law Journal, 4 Mar. 1991

Origin of ADVERSARY

(see adverse)

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ADVERSARY

Synonyms: adversarial, hostile, antagonistic, antipathetic, inhospitable, inimical, jaundiced, mortal, negative, unfriendly, unsympathetic

Antonyms: friendly, hospitable, nonantagonistic, nonhostile, sympathetic

Related Words: adverse, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, clashing, combative, conflicting, contentious, contrary, disputatious, militant, opposed, pugnacious, quarrelsome, resisting, scrappy, truculent; antisocial, cold, cool, disagreeable, disapproving, distant, frigid, icy; biased, prejudiced; discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, surly, uncivil, unfavorable, unkind, unmannerly, unpleasant, unsociable; acrimonious, bitter, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, opprobrious, rancorous, spiteful, unloving, vindictive, virulent

Near Antonyms: affable, amiable, amicable, civil, companionable, comradely, convivial, cordial, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, gregarious, neighborly, pleasant, sociable, social, warm; affectionate, devoted, kind, kindly, loving, nice, sweet; accepting, agreeable, approving, benign, empathetic, favorable, understanding, warmhearted, welcoming

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