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

Surveys revealed that participants could not accurately identify the gender of their online negotiation adversaries any better than random chance. — Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

What follows is an extended game of cat and mouse in which both adversaries might be mice, but the mice have fangs. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

The legal battle is ongoing, after the appeals court sided again with Wilson’s adversaries. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

Both of these stories probably would have played out differently if NIH leaders and academic scientists had seen each other as adversaries, rather than as peers. — Doni Bloomfield, STAT, 21 July 2026

Reports suggest mediators are proposing a 10-day ceasefire between the two adversaries. — Sean Conlon,lee Ying Shan,tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 20 July 2026

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the new measures send a clear message to foreign adversaries seeking to sow violence. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026