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

Defending the strike, Netanyahu alleged on Wednesday that Turkey — a NATO ally of the US that is one of Israel’s top regional adversaries — was intent on deploying forces there. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Our adversaries are constantly looking for new vulnerabilities to exploit. — Frances Townsend, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026

Our adversaries are watching to see whether his commitment ended when the headlines faded. — Lynn Northcutt Vega, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

The United States’ drop in credibility has also emboldened many American adversaries to push ahead with initiatives that would have been unthinkable 10 years ago, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz being the prime example. — Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2026

That capability is essential for reducing adversaries’ confidence in their use of biological weapons, for shaping global norms, and for responding effectively when prevention fails. — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

The Russia and Ukraine conflict grinds into a fifth year; a new Fed chair settles in while tariff policy whipsaws through the courts; tensions with allies and adversaries alike continue to flare. — Nigel Morris, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

The executive leveraged that rare access to convey messages back and forth between the two former adversaries, and helped free US hostages held in Venezuela in 2025. — Patricia Garip, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

Layered on top is rhetoric, from the highest levels of government, that casts career scientists as adversaries rather than protectors. — Daniel Jernigan, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026