Synonyms of adversaries

adversaries

noun

plural of adversary

1

as in enemies

one that is hostile toward another

our old cat seemed to consider the new kitten an adversary

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enemies
• opponents
• foes
• hostiles
• antagonists
• attackers
• rivals
• competitors
• combatants
• archenemies
• invaders
• assailants
• ill-wishers
• nemeses
• archfoes
• bêtes noires
• banes
• emulators

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• friends
• allies
• partners
• buddies
• colleagues
• pals
• fellows
• amigos
• chums
• cronies
• musketeers
• comrades
• collaborators
• compadres
• mates
• accomplices
• confederates
• adherents
• disciples
• abettors
• followers
• supporters
• hearties
• sympathizers
• benefactors
• hail-fellows
• friendlies
• hobnobbers
• exponents
• hail-fellows-well-met
• backers
• well-wishers

2

as in opponents

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

• opponents
• foes
• rivals
• competitors
• antagonists
• enemies
• contestants
• equals
• matches
• attackers
• combatants
• archenemies
• invaders
• assailants
• nemeses
• curses
• bêtes noires
• banes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• allies
• partners
• supporters
• accomplices
• advocates
• proponents
• confederates
• champions
• exponents
• sympathizers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of adversaries

As potential adversaries deploy sophisticated electronic warfare, signal spoofing and radio frequency (RF) spectrum jamming, traditional communications networks face operational limits. — Rohit Jha, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Tehran could portray such moves not as territorial expansion, but as defensive measures designed to deny its adversaries forward operating positions. — Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026

External signals can become unreliable when adversaries disrupt navigation or communications. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

The plan warns of hacking, software vulnerabilities and physical threats but offers few specifics about foreign adversaries or whether CISA has enough staff to help local officials. — Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

The questions of who and why are a mystery for the season to solve, but old adversaries like Frank Harkness and Peter Judd have emerged from the sludge around now, too, and there’s an overwhelming sense now of chickens coming home to roost. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026

Pyongyang's missile tests sometimes coincide with events involving the United States or South Korea, which North Korea regards as its two chief adversaries. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Baker said there are no current plans to leverage the model to allow the US government to do offensive cybersecurity work, like proactive attacks on adversaries. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Hitting the brakes and handing control to the federal government just insures that China and other adversaries will leave us in the dust. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026