Synonyms of adversarial

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hostile
• negative
• antagonistic
• adverse
• contentious
• adversary
• conflicting
• opposed
• unfavorable
• unfriendly
• inimical
• inhospitable
• antipathetic
• unpleasant
• unsympathetic
• jaundiced
• combative
• militant
• mortal
• belligerent
• malicious
• bellicose
• contrary
• icy
• pugnacious
• quarrelsome
• argumentative
• resisting
• frigid
• antisocial
• clashing
• truculent
• disputatious
• distant
• disagreeable
• biased
• bitter
• rude
• acrimonious
• vindictive
• cold
• scrappy
• disapproving
• hateful
• prejudiced
• spiteful
• malignant
• discourteous
• uncivil
• unkind
• malevolent
• virulent
• rancorous
• unsociable
• malign
• impolite
• unmannerly
• surly
• inconsiderate
• unloving
• cool
• impertinent
• opprobrious
• ill-mannered
• despiteful
• ill-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathetic
• civil
• friendly
• social
• hospitable
• cordial
• amiable
• pleasant
• warm
• amicable
• convivial
• neighborly
• genial
• affable
• gracious
• sociable
• nonhostile
• companionable
• gregarious
• kind
• loving
• affectionate
• sweet
• good-natured
• nonantagonistic
• favorable
• comradely
• benign
• devoted
• nice
• kindly
• agreeable
• accepting
• empathetic
• good-tempered
• understanding
• welcoming
• approving
• warmhearted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of adversarial

The bill restricts adversarial foreign nations from maintaining significant investments in agricultural land and property near military bases, among other provisions. — Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026

Several parties in the fragmented Spanish legislature would not back Feijóo, especially the separatist factions which have had a deeply adversarial relationship with the PP. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

Of course, Pussy Riot’s adversarial relationship with the Russian leader goes way back. — Lina Lecaro, SPIN, 17 June 2026

The relationship started off more adversarial. — James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 3 June 2026