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
These moments show students evaluating AI output critically and treating it almost as a sparring partner, rather than simply copying it.
—
Jeanne Beatrix Law, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
Dwayne Johnson — Hart’s longtime friend and frequent comedic sparring partner — showed up with a response that was almost too perfect.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2026
The best thinking has always been sharpened by a great sparring partner.
—Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 28 Feb. 2026
In the competition for global dominance in technology, China has remained a top sparring partner for the U.S.
China is home to the world’s largest data center, the China Telecom-Inner Mongolia Information Park, which spans 10.7 million square feet.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 26 Feb. 2026
The Duke of Hastings and his sparring partner, Will Mondrich, look absolutely dashing — if a bit disheveled, on the Duke's part — in this shot of the pair.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Gilmore, it should be noted, was hardly Edelman’s only sparring partner in those days.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
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
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Jeanne Beatrix Law, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
Dwayne Johnson — Hart’s longtime friend and frequent comedic sparring partner — showed up with a response that was almost too perfect.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2026
The best thinking has always been sharpened by a great sparring partner.
—Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 28 Feb. 2026
In the competition for global dominance in technology, China has remained a top sparring partner for the U.S.
China is home to the world’s largest data center, the China Telecom-Inner Mongolia Information Park, which spans 10.7 million square feet.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 26 Feb. 2026
The Duke of Hastings and his sparring partner, Will Mondrich, look absolutely dashing — if a bit disheveled, on the Duke's part — in this shot of the pair.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Gilmore, it should be noted, was hardly Edelman’s only sparring partner in those days.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Sparring partner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparring%20partner. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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