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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adversaries
The Holy See has historically played a distinctive backchannel role in easing tensions between the two adversaries.
—
Rick Jervis, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Google researchers said this is an example of adversaries increasingly leveraging AI to automate vulnerabilities, phishing campaigns, and malware development.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 12 May 2026
But Starlink and other low-Earth orbit communication constellations transmit higher-power signals in the Ku-band with wider bandwidths that are difficult for adversaries to disrupt through jamming.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
The relatively low cost of entry into drone warfare has disrupted traditional military asymmetries, empowering non-state actors and smaller countries to challenge larger, technologically superior adversaries.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
As a result, economists have said these sanctions have eroded favorability toward the dollar from some of America’s adversaries.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 May 2026
The bad news is that our adversaries can see them too.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
The administration says the sanctions are also intended to discourage deeper involvement from foreign adversaries.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 2 May 2026
That may have been in part to keep any adversaries (or lone wolves) guessing.
—Neil Flanagan, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
Rick Jervis, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Google researchers said this is an example of adversaries increasingly leveraging AI to automate vulnerabilities, phishing campaigns, and malware development.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 12 May 2026
But Starlink and other low-Earth orbit communication constellations transmit higher-power signals in the Ku-band with wider bandwidths that are difficult for adversaries to disrupt through jamming.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
The relatively low cost of entry into drone warfare has disrupted traditional military asymmetries, empowering non-state actors and smaller countries to challenge larger, technologically superior adversaries.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
As a result, economists have said these sanctions have eroded favorability toward the dollar from some of America’s adversaries.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 May 2026
The bad news is that our adversaries can see them too.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
The administration says the sanctions are also intended to discourage deeper involvement from foreign adversaries.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 2 May 2026
That may have been in part to keep any adversaries (or lone wolves) guessing.
—Neil Flanagan, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversaries
Noun
-
The nation’s capital is crawling with right-wing enemies of Social Security who would like nothing more.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
-
There's also an optional co-op mode, which allows two players to split the controls of the Arwing starfighter and other vehicles; one person pilots them while the other shoots at enemies.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Earlier this season, Chelsea were leaving three attackers out on the halfway line at defensive corners to give them counter-attacking outlets and to force opponents to match them up, helping clear the penalty area of bodies.—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson used his postgame press conference to defend the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama, specifically the level of physicality Wembanyama gets from opponents during games.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
When a chance encounter with a distraught stranger on a subway goes horribly wrong, Reacher is drawn into a complex and deadly game that pits him against ruthless foes from the highest echelons of power.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
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The 2026 opener will serve as the 13th time the Cowboys have opened the season against the Giants, with Dallas owning an 11-1 record all-time against its divisional foes in season openers.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Two old rivals, the New York Liberty and Connecticut Sun, played the first game of the league’s 30th season with two potentially budding rivals, the Seattle Storm and Golden State Valkyries, capping the night in the third and final game.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
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The rivals went point-for-point in the final set until Titriyski and Todd combined for a block that brought the score to 23-21 in Hawai’i’s favor.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adversaries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversaries. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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