as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
our old cat seemed to consider the new kitten an adversary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opponent
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adversary
Dan Morse, Alex Horton, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Sep. 2022
At the same time, Trump's tirades against trade deals with nations like China played into a belief among many people that such pacts had hollowed out the American dream, while building middle classes lives for citizens of adversary nations.
—Stephen Collinson, CNN, 28 Sep. 2017
Mark Schlakman, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2025
Their fears intensified after Trump signed a battery of executive orders aimed at punishing top firms over old associations with his adversaries.
—Molly Redden, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Adjective
Such sensitive information, along with financial information and private messages, is helpful for adversary intelligence agencies to use as leverage for blackmail or coercion.
—Dan Morse, Alex Horton, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Sep. 2022
At the same time, Trump's tirades against trade deals with nations like China played into a belief among many people that such pacts had hollowed out the American dream, while building middle classes lives for citizens of adversary nations.
—Stephen Collinson, CNN, 28 Sep. 2017
Noun
The Trump administration is reportedly expanding the scope of denaturalization and is being called out for allegedly weaponizing it against current political adversaries such as Elon Musk.
—Mark Schlakman, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2025
Their fears intensified after Trump signed a battery of executive orders aimed at punishing top firms over old associations with his adversaries.
—Molly Redden, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
Their reasons are practical and emotional: 76% cited concern for LGBTQ rights in general, while 71% cited hostile social and political environments.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
-
That information enables commanders to launch defensive or offensive strikes in seconds, whether intercepting an incoming cruise missile, engaging hostile aircraft, or directing Tomahawk missiles at land targets hundreds of miles away.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Citizens are trained to report anyone who might be an enemy of the regime, including family members.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Our theme this year was the enemy within for the writers’ room.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As the other undefeated team, Canada outscored its three opponents 19-4, but had to rely on some third-period outbursts to run up those offensive numbers.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
On the ball, Maresca’s preference is for his side to build with short passes from his goalkeeper, often with the aim of baiting opponents into a press that creates space higher up the pitch.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Fewer visitors translate to less visitor spending, and in turn to lower tax revenue and job losses in the tourism industry, sending a negative ripple effect throughout the national economy.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
At these meetings, all manner of data were discussed and analyzed, resulting in strategies to combat negative trends.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Iran had long backed the Taliban’s principal foes, the Northern Alliance.—
Vali Nasr,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
-
The Wave outshot Bay FC 12-9, and had more shots on goal (seven) than their Northern California foe (four).—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Multiple investigations and reports, including a bipartisan effort by the Senate Intelligence Committee, have found that Russia did indeed meddle in the 2016 election to help Trump defeat his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
-
What’s more, such companies may find rivals like Databricks and Snowflake to be a better fit – which could be profitable for Citron Research’s short position in Palantir.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share