adversarial

adjective

ad·​ver·​sar·​i·​al ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl 

ˌad-və-,

-ˈse-rē-

: involving two people or two sides who oppose each other : of, relating to, or characteristic of an adversary or adversary procedures (see adversary entry 2 sense 2)

an adversarial relationship

an adversarial system of justice with prosecution and defense opposing each other

Synonyms

• adversary
• antagonistic
• antipathetic
• hostile
• inhospitable
• inimical
• jaundiced
• mortal
• negative
• unfriendly
• unsympathetic

Examples of adversarial in a Sentence

an adversarial system of justice with prosecution and defense opposing each other

the relationship between the president and the congress should not be adversarial if anything is to get done

Recent Examples on the Web

But the city’s police union, the Ithaca Police Benevolent Association, also blamed staffing cuts imposed by Mr. Myrick — whose relationship with the police was often adversarial — coupled with the implicit message to leave the Jungle alone. —Photographs Todd Heisler, New York Times, 19 May 2024

The Maryland chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, Council 3 had an adversarial relationship with former Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican. —Hannah Gaskill, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

adversary entry 1 + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

adversarial

adjective

ad·​ver·​sar·​i·​al

ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl

: involving two people or two sides who oppose each other

Legal Definition

adversarial

adjective

ad·​ver·​sar·​i·​al ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of an adversary or adversary procedures : adversary