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
Such a gathering could have been targeted by foreign adversaries or others with far more experience, less regard for human life and much greater firepower than Allen, experts said.
—
Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Foreign adversaries and the Federal Reserve have begun using this phrase in official communications.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Indiana has shown the nation how to protect citizens from foreign adversaries at the state level.
—Joe Gebbia Sr, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The old model of government procurement is being outpaced by adversaries who move at the speed of commercial technology.
—Pat Ryan, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Anthropic’s supply-chain-risk designation—a label that effectively bars the military from doing business with the company, and that is typically reserved for companies with ties to foreign adversaries—was a clear example of the government flexing its muscles.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Badger warned that Iran and other adversaries have increasingly relied on unconventional tactics.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Hegseth’s decision unfortunately may have given potential adversaries a new vulnerability to exploit.
—Paul Friedrichs, STAT, 23 Apr. 2026
Analysts also say the open ocean is a safer place for the US Navy to make interdictions, with fewer neutral vessels nearby and no land masses to restrict maneuverability or conceal adversaries, as may be the case in and around the Persian Gulf.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Foreign adversaries and the Federal Reserve have begun using this phrase in official communications.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Indiana has shown the nation how to protect citizens from foreign adversaries at the state level.
—Joe Gebbia Sr, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The old model of government procurement is being outpaced by adversaries who move at the speed of commercial technology.
—Pat Ryan, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Anthropic’s supply-chain-risk designation—a label that effectively bars the military from doing business with the company, and that is typically reserved for companies with ties to foreign adversaries—was a clear example of the government flexing its muscles.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Badger warned that Iran and other adversaries have increasingly relied on unconventional tactics.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Hegseth’s decision unfortunately may have given potential adversaries a new vulnerability to exploit.
—Paul Friedrichs, STAT, 23 Apr. 2026
Analysts also say the open ocean is a safer place for the US Navy to make interdictions, with fewer neutral vessels nearby and no land masses to restrict maneuverability or conceal adversaries, as may be the case in and around the Persian Gulf.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversaries
Noun
-
Trump unilaterally waged war against a foreign country, used the Department of Justice and FBI to attack his political enemies, and enriched himself and his family at the expense of Americans.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
Country has ‘strategic enemies’ on both sides Ghadban said his country had no interest in allying with either side in the war.—
Abby Sewell,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
But tribal opponents disagree that those requirements were met and said drilling projects are often a first step leading to future mines.—
Sarah Raza,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
Martin gets some jokes about it, more from older generations than teammates or opponents.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
This fourth season was the series’ most ambitious, both in its set pieces (shoot-outs, car chases) and in its interrogation of what its characters value and love, and if Dark Winds can keep mixing up the flavor of Leaphorn and Chee’s foes, its forecast looks good.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
-
Reuters, which won for national reporting, looked at how Trump has used the federal government and his supporters’ influence to expand presidential authority and target foes, the award judges noted.—
Jennifer Peltz,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Once fierce rivals, the two men were responsible for the country’s first peaceful transfer of power between parties, after Jefferson and his Democratic-Republican Party defeated Adams and the Federalists in the election of 1800.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
While rivals like the Tacoma and Colorado constantly reinvent themselves, Nissan tends to take the long road by refining, tweaking, and polishing instead of blowing everything up every few years.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adversaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversaries. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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