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 initiative will target foreign adversaries and domestic actors who exploit advanced systems for unlawful purposes. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026

Military action against both adversaries would only require Trump to give his say-so. — Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2026

The two are former adversaries; Bass defeated Caruso in the 2022 mayoral race. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

Our adversaries are climate change, the threat of nuclear war, hunger, poverty and disease, not China. — Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026

All of them are troubled by increasing animosity from their many political adversaries, especially because the series’ big bad, an immortal named Koschei the Deathless, seems to be stirring in mysterious ways. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026

But the focus on maximizing data connectivity and Internet traffic has given way to more complex planning that also accounts for international relations and the growing risk of adversaries carrying out surveillance or sabotage of cables. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026

Cognyte, an Israeli corporation, has been accused by human rights groups of doing business with governments, including Israel, that use the tech to target adversaries and opponents. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 27 Oct. 2026

Writing in The Telegraph over the weekend, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting warned that adversaries could have the force strength and war economy to attack by 2030. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026