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
This season, Wednesday must navigate family, friends and old adversaries, propelling her into another year of delightfully dark and kooky mayhem.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Before Israel began a counterattack against Hezbollah in September 2024, this strategy was reckoned brilliant by Iran’s supporters and adversaries alike.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Our adversaries are betting on fracture.
—Kay Bailey Hutchison, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
In Sudan, warring factions attempted to deny aid to adversaries.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The United States has strengthened its submarine partnerships with Japan and India after its main adversaries—Russia and China—recently carried out their first joint submarine patrol.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
The capabilities of the F135 provide the warfighter with a critical advantage over adversaries and enables the F-35 to conduct operations in advanced anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments, a core element of the National Defense Strategy, according to Pratt & Whitney.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
Trump has used his sweeping tariffs to reshape not just global trade, but alliances with friendly nations and relationships with adversaries.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Altman and Musk, who were longtime friends, have become bitter adversaries since OpenAI’s emergence as a leader in generative AI with billions of dollars in funding from Microsoft.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Before Israel began a counterattack against Hezbollah in September 2024, this strategy was reckoned brilliant by Iran’s supporters and adversaries alike.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Our adversaries are betting on fracture.
—Kay Bailey Hutchison, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
In Sudan, warring factions attempted to deny aid to adversaries.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The United States has strengthened its submarine partnerships with Japan and India after its main adversaries—Russia and China—recently carried out their first joint submarine patrol.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
The capabilities of the F135 provide the warfighter with a critical advantage over adversaries and enables the F-35 to conduct operations in advanced anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments, a core element of the National Defense Strategy, according to Pratt & Whitney.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
Trump has used his sweeping tariffs to reshape not just global trade, but alliances with friendly nations and relationships with adversaries.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Altman and Musk, who were longtime friends, have become bitter adversaries since OpenAI’s emergence as a leader in generative AI with billions of dollars in funding from Microsoft.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversaries
Noun
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Dealing with internal conflicts of identity while being threatened by external enemies is not unique to Israel.—
Ron Scherf,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
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In the scope of housework, hard water stains are high on the list of public enemies in my home.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 38-year-old Uruguayan icon, one of the greatest strikers in history with more than 500 goals for club and country, has been banned on three occasions for biting opponents during matches.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
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Democratic candidates on Charlotte public safety Some of Lyles’ opponents in this year’s Democratic mayor primary are questioning whether the four-term mayor has done enough to address crime.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Blue Jays sit fewer than three games ahead of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox after building a sizable advantage over their divisional foes, with the bullpen suddenly crumbling.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
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Along the way, the cat joins forces with former foes of various species aboard a boat in search of dry land and a new beginning.—
Charlotte Walsh,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Rate-cut expectations and worries over the Fed’s independence have weighed on the US dollar, which is languishing near a more than one-month low against its rivals, making gold less expensive for overseas buyers.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
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The price drop may induce its rivals, who have run into some of the same pricing issues, to follow.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversaries. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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