as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
our old cat seemed to consider the new kitten an adversary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opponent
one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict
our adversaries in tomorrow's meet are from one of the top schools in the league
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of adversary
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Such sensitive information, along with financial information and private messages, is helpful for adversary intelligence agencies to use as leverage for blackmail or coercion.
—
Dan Morse, Alex Horton,
Anchorage Daily News,
30 Sep. 2022
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
Short for Transparent Secure Memory Encryption, TSME encrypts the entire contents stored in memory, making the data useless to adversaries performing cold boot attacks and similar intrusions requiring physical access.
—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Adjective
Yet distillation has been controversial when used by third parties — particularly in adversary nations like China or Russia — to replicate proprietary work without authorization.
—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Such sensitive information, along with financial information and private messages, is helpful for adversary intelligence agencies to use as leverage for blackmail or coercion.
—
Dan Morse, Alex Horton,
Anchorage Daily News,
30 Sep. 2022
Noun
Regan himself is the target of another measure sponsored by one of his longtime adversaries, the California Hospital Association.
—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
Short for Transparent Secure Memory Encryption, TSME encrypts the entire contents stored in memory, making the data useless to adversaries performing cold boot attacks and similar intrusions requiring physical access.
—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
The complaint alleges that school officials at Southern Hills Middle School failed to stop two years of antisemitic harassment against an eighth grader even after investigations concluded the student faced a hostile environment.
-
Create an internal incident map and begin tagging hostile actions according to the DISARM taxonomy.
Noun
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Corlys and Lohar find each other in the scrum and both land powerful blows before Corlys is thrown into the sea, leaving Alyn of Hull to finish off his father’s enemy.
-
After hours of fighting in the close urban setting, Dockery used smoke grenades to signal enemy positions for American gunships.
Noun
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That puts those Lawler-supporting Democrats in the unique position of helping choose his next opponent by voting in the June 23 primary.
-
Instead, Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room made an incredible 15 saves and Ecuador walked away with a humbling result against an opponent it was heavily favored to beat.
Adjective
-
But a recent poll shows that a majority abroad have a negative view of the country.
-
Bass’ handling of the Palisades fire has had a long-lasting, negative impact on voters’ opinions of her.
Noun
-
The two battled, with the Sea Snake about to make the kill after stabbing his foe in the thigh.
-
The South American roster of Leviatán took down Global Esports and NRG in the Swiss Stage to advance to the playoff bracket, but were then met with a formidable foe in the shape of Paper Rex.
Noun
-
But Republican rival Steve Hilton slammed the group for political opportunism.
-
The idea is that even rivals can find common ground over a beverage.
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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