sparring partner
noun
1
: someone who helps a boxer practice : someone a boxer spars with for training
2
: a person that someone has serious but friendly arguments with
They have been political sparring partners for years.
Examples of sparring partner in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jimmy, one of the lightest heavyweight champions ever, was a sparring partner with Muhammad Ali.
—
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
Younger by a year and a half, Rahaman Ali gave up his own boxing career to become a chauffeur, sparring partner, gofer, chef and right-hand man for older brother Muhammad.
—Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Aug. 2025
Erica’s turned him into a sparring partner, but Beto develops other interests over the course of the episode.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 24 July 2025
The other standout is Silambarasan, who makes a fine sparring partner for Haasan.
—Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
Most episodes end with the guest star of the week being carted off to jail, but this is a very final and bloody end to Elsbeth’s sparring partner in Crawford.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025
Some of our strategists even use AI as a kind of sparring partner—testing ideas, identifying blind spots and refining their approach.
—Abbey Klaassen, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
In a series-regular role, Looker has been cast as Dustin, Elle’s classmate and sparring partner who cares about social justice and isn’t afraid to challenge authority.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
Co-lead Shannon O’Boyle’s Sheila makes for Holmes’ formidable sparring partner.
—Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2025
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Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
Younger by a year and a half, Rahaman Ali gave up his own boxing career to become a chauffeur, sparring partner, gofer, chef and right-hand man for older brother Muhammad.
—Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Aug. 2025
Erica’s turned him into a sparring partner, but Beto develops other interests over the course of the episode.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 24 July 2025
The other standout is Silambarasan, who makes a fine sparring partner for Haasan.
—Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
Most episodes end with the guest star of the week being carted off to jail, but this is a very final and bloody end to Elsbeth’s sparring partner in Crawford.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025
Some of our strategists even use AI as a kind of sparring partner—testing ideas, identifying blind spots and refining their approach.
—Abbey Klaassen, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
In a series-regular role, Looker has been cast as Dustin, Elle’s classmate and sparring partner who cares about social justice and isn’t afraid to challenge authority.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
Co-lead Shannon O’Boyle’s Sheila makes for Holmes’ formidable sparring partner.
—Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparring partner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparring%20partner. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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