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
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors accuse the Ketchersides of running a prostitution enterprise that relied on help from law enforcement and was used to target political adversaries.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Adjective
Yet distillation has been controversial when used by third parties — particularly in adversary nations like China or Russia — to replicate proprietary work without authorization.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
Iranian trolling of its adversaries is not new.
—Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors accuse the Ketchersides of running a prostitution enterprise that relied on help from law enforcement and was used to target political adversaries.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
These Knicks still need to close the Hawks out in hostile territory in Game 6.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Extreme recovery conditions The Asse II mine presents a uniquely hostile environment.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These are effective, but require attacks to be initiated from outside enemy airspace.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
-
People of faith are not so easily deterred from speaking truth to power, even to power unafraid to drop bombs on its enemies.—
Ciera Bates-Chamberlain,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Those ratings create an estimate of how many goals each team is expected to score and allow in a game against an average opponent at a neutral site.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Ramaswamy feels so assured of gliding through the May 5 primary that his campaign has all but ignored his GOP opponent so far.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
According to Newsweek, the overall score was composed of 80% from survey results, and 20% from social listening analysis, which analyzed media coverage and online discussion to assess whether public sentiment was positive, neutral or negative.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The contest aims to challenge negative stereotypes of seagulls, which are often seen as a nuisance, by imitating them, per local network WTV.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mason Gadbois led the attack with five goals to go with a pair of assists, as Danvers rallied to topple Northeastern Conference foe Winthrop, 13-11.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Golden suggested national champion Michigan and in-state foe Miami as possibilities.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Roster-building gamesmanship ensued between the rivals.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Brian Clough went one better with Nottingham Forest in 1977-78, winning the league and then the European Cup with Derby’s East Midlands neighbours and arch-rivals immediately upon earning promotion.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
