as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
Aleah Wright, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
Two major law firms faced judges Wednesday to ask for decisive relief from President Trump’s executive orders aimed at undercutting their business as retribution for representing his political adversaries.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 23 Apr. 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
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Iago the adversary to Othello, and wears a more mutable palette for the play what were your choices behind that?
—Aleah Wright, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
Two major law firms faced judges Wednesday to ask for decisive relief from President Trump’s executive orders aimed at undercutting their business as retribution for representing his political adversaries.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
John Shine described to me a research trip to the hostile mountain environs of Tasmania, where snakes stay under cover except for the 20 or 30 warm days each year.—
Stephen S. Hall,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Union members shared other experiences and stories, including those of an increasingly hostile work environment for some.—
Molly Guthrey,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And what assurance shall there be that the Executive will not train its broad discretionary powers upon its political enemies?—
TIME Staff,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The character went from being Emily’s friend to becoming her enemy as the two wrestled in a love triangle with Gabriel.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Trump’s threats to annex Canada and his tariffs have pulled the ruling Liberal party out of spiraling approval ratings and could propel Mark Carney, the Liberal candidate and sitting prime minister, to victory over Pierre Poilievre, his conservative opponent.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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Ipswich proved obdurate and then generous opponents — Newcastle’s 78 per cent possession was the highest by any team in a Premier League match this season — and their relegation was confirmed by this 3-0 defeat.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, the negative effects on the economy could be significant, prompting the Fed to lower rates sooner and more sharply.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
-
While Americans have tended to hold negative attitudes about the government’s handling of the environment for decades, the survey found opinions slipped again this year.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The foes have made constitutional claims, environmental claims, procedural claims.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Giant games ahead as IM plays CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals this Thursday at Vancouver and April 30 vs. the same foe in Fort Lauderdale, with an MLS home match vs. Dallas in between next Sunday.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Carole Baskin, an animal rights activist and Maldonado's rival, also starred in the show.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Great powers throughout history have often found that rivals can act as a productive fillip to friends.—
A. Wess Mitchell,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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