ADVERSARIAL Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

adversarial

adjective

ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will the relationship between the president and the congress should not be adversarial if anything is to get done

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of adversarial Colbert’s final show mostly stayed away from politics, with even the opening monologue tending toward less pointed jokes about whimsical subjects like potholes on an airport runway, as if the host was intent on not going out on an adversarial note. —

Chris Willman, Variety, 22 May 2026 Now the two adversarial power-brokers are the unseen Raven and Iliya (Stoycho Kostadinov, seemingly a bodybuilder in real life). —

Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 22 May 2026 The firms say that the adversarial system relies on courts hearing perspectives from both sides and that lawyers must be able to represent unpopular causes. —

Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 May 2026 Here, competition for regional influence has produced a more openly adversarial dynamic, one that both sides have mostly managed without military escalations. —

Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for adversarial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversarial

Adjective

Many Christians seek to keep a hostile world at bay by discouraging inquiry and critical thinking, by empowering theological enforcers, and by drawing narrow doctrinal boundaries.

— Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
While some states would be hostile to public university athletes attempts to gain employment recognition, others might be more welcoming.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 June 2026