1
as in enemies
one that is hostile toward another
our old cat seemed to consider the new kitten an adversary
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of adversaries
Both nations boast vast petroleum reserves and extensive mineral wealth, long positioning themselves as anti-imperialist adversaries of the US.
—
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
See video … STEPHEN MILLER – Our adversaries can no longer use Venezuela to export terrorism worldwide.
—FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Taken together, these responses suggest the revival of old fears of American interventionism, prompting allies and adversaries alike to ponder where Washington might act next.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
Such criticism came from Democratic leaders, international allies and adversaries including Mexico, France, China and Russia, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and experts on international law and wartime powers.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
For Jain, the challenge isn’t about not using this technology but understanding how to use it in a responsible manner, establishing and enforcing ethical boundaries while matching adversaries’ technical pace.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Who supports our allies and confronts our adversaries.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Roosevelt used his relationship with the press not just to gain publicity but also to deny it to adversaries.
—JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
Both address vulnerabilities that adversaries already exploit—and both have recent, tangible demonstrations that turn theory into operational reality.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
See video … STEPHEN MILLER – Our adversaries can no longer use Venezuela to export terrorism worldwide.
—FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Taken together, these responses suggest the revival of old fears of American interventionism, prompting allies and adversaries alike to ponder where Washington might act next.
—Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
Such criticism came from Democratic leaders, international allies and adversaries including Mexico, France, China and Russia, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and experts on international law and wartime powers.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
For Jain, the challenge isn’t about not using this technology but understanding how to use it in a responsible manner, establishing and enforcing ethical boundaries while matching adversaries’ technical pace.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Who supports our allies and confronts our adversaries.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Roosevelt used his relationship with the press not just to gain publicity but also to deny it to adversaries.
—JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
Both address vulnerabilities that adversaries already exploit—and both have recent, tangible demonstrations that turn theory into operational reality.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversaries
Noun
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Davie’s successor will inherit an organization wrestling with its place in a media ecosystem dominated by overseas tech giants, as well as battling enemies closer to home, with conservative politicians and media proprietors wishing to see the BBC diminished during charter renewal.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
9 Jan. 2026
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Even paranoiacs have enemies, maybe rendering their paranoia a rational response.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After a shocking few weeks of first round and quarterfinal competition, semifinal opponents are set and the College Football Playoff national championship is just around the corner.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Both Isaacs boys pinned their opponents, as did DeLand’s Gerald ‘Taz’ Logan III, another dual-sport athlete.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cuba joined Iran, Russia and other foes of Washington in condemning the raid at the United Nations.—
Robert Muggah,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The Cardinals opened this season with wins over New Orleans and Carolina before dropping close games to division foes San Francisco and Seattle.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At certain points, Pelosi and Hoyer were seen as rivals vying for the speakership — a role that only Pelosi ended up securing.—
Nikole Killion,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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The short, but so far rather sweet, voyage of the Chelsea Under-21 boss at the first-team helm will feature one last stop just across the Thames against west London rivals Fulham.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adversaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversaries. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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