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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
The island has been among Washington’s bitterest adversaries for decades.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
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 January operation that removed Maduro stunned both allies and adversaries, abruptly ending more than a decade of his rule and creating a power vacuum within the socialist movement.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
The island has been among Washington’s bitterest adversaries for decades.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
This time, the report suggests that Cosco’s ownership stake would vary by port and that some terminals in jurisdictions hostile to China could be carved out.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Mar. 2026
-
While the industry has not in recent memory suffered a major disruption due to a hostile attack, smaller-scale DDoS attacks, as well as ransomware attacks, have disrupted pockets of the market.—
Reuters
Wire Service,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the Afghans claimed that more than 50 enemy soldiers had died along the border.—
Mihir Sharma,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The ship bears the name of a Marine Corps Reserve member who was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1952 for holding off enemy forces and shielding fellow Marines during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Marcus Smart stepped in front of driving opponents.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The club also won its first three league matches for the first time while outscoring its opponents 6-0.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In fact, following a low-protein diet can have negative effects on older adults’ bone health and muscle mass.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
4 Mar. 2026
-
California schools now face legal pressure to disclose student gender information to parents, even when students fear negative family reactions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In Oakland, the company has encountered numerous foes, including former Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, who unsuccessfully tried to indict Radius on numerous felony charges in 2023 over a massive fire that left black smoke billowing in the sky.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Over that eight-game win streak, only two foes had shot better than 50% from the floor (UNLV, Air Force) and only one — the Zoomies — had connected at a 40% clip or better from beyond the arc.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The term idols become rivals could apply here, but their brotherhood through their Duke ties keeps their bond strong.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
An eighth-grader at Maranatha Christian School won the county spelling bee Thursday, beating his closest rival after a one-on-one face-off that lasted 13 rounds.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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