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
The uploads raised concerns inside DHS because the agency oversees federal cyber defense against foreign adversaries, including Russia and China.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
An officer in the video explained that the Yemeni Armed Forces deliberately targeted the vessel in the Gulf of Aden, aiming to send a message to adversaries that locations in the area were within the forces’ reach.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
The movement could be broken apart by infighting over the succession, international allies might revolt, and domestic adversaries might find more appealing methods of responding to the crisis.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
While adversaries continuously adapt, leveraging AI, automation, and novel tactics, most training programs remain anchored in outdated threat models.
—James Hadley, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Any serious strategy to secure the Arctic, deter adversaries and protect North America runs directly through Greenland.
—Paul McCarthy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Initial talks on the future of Greenland have reportedly centered around increasing NATO’s presence in the Arctic, giving America a claim to sovereignty for bases on the island and blocking adversaries from mining its reserves of minerals.
—Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
Halligan obtained indictments against Trump adversaries James Comey and Letitia James, but a federal judge ruled her appointment unlawful and ordered both cases dismissed.
—Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
But what unfolded over the course of his lengthy speech was less a celebration of economic revival than a sweeping assertion of American dominance—and of his own role as its chief architect—over allies, adversaries and institutions alike.
—Nik Popli, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
An officer in the video explained that the Yemeni Armed Forces deliberately targeted the vessel in the Gulf of Aden, aiming to send a message to adversaries that locations in the area were within the forces’ reach.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
The movement could be broken apart by infighting over the succession, international allies might revolt, and domestic adversaries might find more appealing methods of responding to the crisis.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
While adversaries continuously adapt, leveraging AI, automation, and novel tactics, most training programs remain anchored in outdated threat models.
—James Hadley, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Any serious strategy to secure the Arctic, deter adversaries and protect North America runs directly through Greenland.
—Paul McCarthy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Initial talks on the future of Greenland have reportedly centered around increasing NATO’s presence in the Arctic, giving America a claim to sovereignty for bases on the island and blocking adversaries from mining its reserves of minerals.
—Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
Halligan obtained indictments against Trump adversaries James Comey and Letitia James, but a federal judge ruled her appointment unlawful and ordered both cases dismissed.
—Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
But what unfolded over the course of his lengthy speech was less a celebration of economic revival than a sweeping assertion of American dominance—and of his own role as its chief architect—over allies, adversaries and institutions alike.
—Nik Popli, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversaries
Noun
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The governments of Israel and Iran have long considered each other arch enemies, and most Israelis reserve their ire for the regime in Tehran.—
Seyed Rahim Bathaei,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
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His private character came under fire at key moments in his nation’s early history, conditioning his attitude toward political enemies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For the second time this season, the Sea View League opponents provided a nail-biter.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Gauff’s movement often exhausts her opponents.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The book begins with a familiar spark, a rescue, but Wells wanted to push the setting into something stronger and tougher to move through, eventually coming up with another unique sci-fi setting that Murderbot and its friends can navigate while encountering friends, foes and more eye contact.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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The Seahawks and Rams will follow them in the NFC Conference Championship, a rubber match between these NFC West foes.—
Josh Shepardson,
Forbes.com,
23 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 2 Feb. 2026.
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