adversarial

adjective

ad·​ver·​sar·​i·​al ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl How to pronounce adversarial (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Vulnerabilities like model inversion, adversarial prompts and data poisoning create entry points for attackers that didn’t exist with traditional software. Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025 If ByteDance does not sell TikTok to someone less adversarial than a Chinese company, the app will be removed from American app stores and U.S. internet service providers will be instructed to block access to the site. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 Fisher also noted Chesterton’s Advisory Plan Commission has been known for its adversarial approach to developers. Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025 Ohio is the latest state where lawmakers are trying to block people and companies from China, Russia and other adversarial countries from purchasing property here. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for adversarial

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adversarial was in 1839

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adversarial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adversarial. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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 How to pronounce adversarial (audio)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of an adversary or adversary procedures : adversary

More from Merriam-Webster on adversarial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!