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
Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
Contrast his approach to adversaries to that of Biden.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 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
Shooting and beating American citizens in the streets, demolishing history, covering up obvious crimes, threatening our allies, targeting political adversaries and using the office for personal enrichment are just a few things that have occurred and gone unchecked by powers that control Congress.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
Contrast his approach to adversaries to that of Biden.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
Deery believes that decline can be attributed in part to prospective students and parents feeling like campuses are hostile to those who don't hold a liberal-leaning worldview.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
-
For some unexplained reason, if such an event continues for a prolonged period, citizens can often become inexplicably hostile.—
Wayne Chan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Xenomorphs, meanwhile, tried to overwhelm humans and Yautja with a mix of speed and stealth (camping while glued to a ceiling to jump-scare enemies never got old).—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
15 Feb. 2026
-
And, perhaps most importantly, we are feared by the enemies all over the globe.—
WILL WEISSERT,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And males are more aggressive when the opponent is the same color, and brighter.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Now Rubio was telling liberal centrist foreign leaders that their entire outlook was wrong, echoing the far-right populist opponents who might well unseat them in upcoming elections.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Nestle, which makes Guigoz in France and SMA in the UK, said Thursday that stock shortages and returns of some formula products would have a marginally negative impact on its sales volumes this year.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Kennedy gets praise in some quarters for his campaign against food preservatives, but on balance his prescriptions have been far more negative than positive for the public interest.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Aggies’ starting pitcher Weston Moss was strong against the Southern Conference foe.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Navalny, who crusaded against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests as President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest foe, died in the Arctic penal colony in February 2024.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The male cockroaches are territorial, defending females in their area and competing against encroaching rivals.—
Emma Gometz,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Officials say the goal is to stabilize Venezuela’s economy, reduce migration pressures and counter the influence of geopolitical rivals in Latin America.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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