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
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 May 2025
And starting at the point farthest away from a new election cycle gives allies courage to try big things and adversaries reasons to hedge their bets.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 2 May 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
That is well below the roughly 44% who said the same about Trump, who is trying to calm recession anxieties after igniting a global trade war with U.S. allies and adversaries.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 May 2025
And starting at the point farthest away from a new election cycle gives allies courage to try big things and adversaries reasons to hedge their bets.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
And Marguerite did actually manage to live there for years, scraping together a life on the hostile tundra.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
-
And this is a very hard-line government that has taken a kind of hostile view of everybody in the region.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Coming from an impoverished family, Ding eagerly took part in public humiliation rallies against teachers, intellectuals, government officials and others labeled as enemies of Mao’s vision.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
12 May 2025
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Asking everyone else to leave, the two enemies have a private conversation that finally gets Faye out of Specter Litt Williams for good.—
Tanya Melendez,
EW.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Madrid’s lack of defensive intensity means their opponents can progress upfield with little fear at times, knowing that Ancelotti’s forward line does not provide their team-mates the protection that comes with pressing from the front.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
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This approach will disarm an opponent’s ability to double-team and pack the paint while also providing the Sky more varied scoring options.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Even with her negative experience, Hamby has noticed a growing shift in support under the current CBA, which is set to expire after this season.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
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The constant consumption of negative news and content can activate the body's stress response, Aguvaveedi reported.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
Noun
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From foe to friend: the Los Angeles Kings have hired Ken Holland as their new general manager.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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Find out if ants are friends or foes to your peonies, plus how to remove them before bringing cut peony flowers indoors.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2025
Noun
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That was the worry among some of the Los Angeles Kings’ faithful – and a source of joy among fans of their rivals – as Holland was introduced as the Kings’ general manager on Thursday.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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If Boasberg buys Meta's argument that TikTok is actually Meta's biggest rival—and not Snap or MeWe—Meta could have an easier time shutting down the case.—
Ashley Belanger – May 16,
ArsTechnica,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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