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
Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2025
Because the attack came at the end of the war, and the U-boat had not received orders of any surrender, the sinking of the Eagle was reported as an engineering and boiler failure rather than an escalatory attack from a foreign adversary.
—Leanna Renee Hieber, Big Think, 2 Oct. 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
Indeed, America’s adversaries, such as China, Russia, and Iran, as well as its allies, such as the United Kingdom and South Korea, are all exploring or implementing terrestrial backups for their GPS infrastructure.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2025
Because the attack came at the end of the war, and the U-boat had not received orders of any surrender, the sinking of the Eagle was reported as an engineering and boiler failure rather than an escalatory attack from a foreign adversary.
—Leanna Renee Hieber, Big Think, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
By this time, the eastern Roman empire, where Zosimus lived, had been fairly thoroughly Christianized, but Zosimus was a pagan hostile to Christianity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The United States plans to upgrade its radars to improve their ability to identify hostile ballistic missiles targeting the homeland, according to a government announcement, as nuclear adversaries Russia, China and North Korea advance their missile capabilities.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This small interceptor drone is specifically designed to ram into enemy drones mid-air.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The final season will explore Shaka’s enemies trying to undermine his rule and the arrival of Francis Fynn and British colonizers.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And that opponent — and its fans — always seemingly treat it like a playoff game.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Spanberger, 46, who has consistently held a 10-point lead over Earle-Sears, 61, in recent surveys, is leveraging the government shutdown to intensify criticism against her opponent.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In the aftermath of Kirk's death, waves of firings and suspensions have occurred across the country in connection to individuals’ social media posts about Kirk, as conservative politicians and influencers push for a crackdown on negative posts about the political podcaster.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
11 Oct. 2025
-
However, Belichick’s NFL past continues to hover around this situation, from questions about his legacy to regular flare-ups involving the Patriots to suspicions within UNC’s program that some of the negative headlines have origins in New England.—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
If the playoffs started today, the Mater Dei’s foe could be Santa Margarita in the quarterfinals.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Indiana, which had never beaten a top-five foe on the road, will likely enter the top five itself on Sunday.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Certainly not in the form of Thursday’s loss, when avoidable mental lapses, defensive breakdowns and turnovers cost the Red Wings two early points against a divisional (and possible wild card) rival.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The confrontations, while risking a broader conflict, also pose a geopolitical opportunity for India, which has cautiously sought to improve relations with the Taliban, perhaps filling the diplomatic hole left by its regional rival, Pakistan, analysts said.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share