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
The best thinking has always been sharpened by a great sparring partner.
—
Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 28 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
The Patch bartender, Barney (K.C. Clyde), is a frequent sparring partner.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Newsom’s office confirmed this week that the Democratic governor – and frequent Trump sparring partner – will be delivering plenary remarks and participating in fireside chats at the conference.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
Gilmore, it should be noted, was hardly Edelman’s only sparring partner in those days.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
They’re not supposed to pay a sparring partner $1.2 million to come and beat them up 35-10 at the Rose Bowl, like the Lobos – 15.5-point underdogs coming in – did Friday night.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 13 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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Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 28 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
The Patch bartender, Barney (K.C. Clyde), is a frequent sparring partner.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Newsom’s office confirmed this week that the Democratic governor – and frequent Trump sparring partner – will be delivering plenary remarks and participating in fireside chats at the conference.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
Gilmore, it should be noted, was hardly Edelman’s only sparring partner in those days.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
They’re not supposed to pay a sparring partner $1.2 million to come and beat them up 35-10 at the Rose Bowl, like the Lobos – 15.5-point underdogs coming in – did Friday night.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 13 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 14 Mar. 2026.
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