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

The Highlander, a 500 year old Scotsman who uses an ancient katana faces his most deadly adversaries, including The Kurgan, all set to a Queen soundtrack. — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026

Democrats should learn a lesson from the negative example of their Republican adversaries. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Similar proposals have emerged elsewhere, including a Florida law restricting surrogacy and adoption agreements involving residents of countries designated as foreign adversaries. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Recent campaigns such as Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon demonstrate that sophisticated adversaries are not merely stealing information. — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Iran especially has been known to use cyber information operations to try and destabilize its adversaries. — Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026

Seoul — North Korea on Tuesday commissioned its largest-ever warship, a 5,000-ton destroyer that military analysts say could give Pyongyang’s adversaries something more to think about in a time of crisis. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 24 June 2026

Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026