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
Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Some countries are urging a stronger UN America’s adversaries also have shunned the board.
—Edith M. Lederer, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 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
Within the bankruptcy proceedings, Radiance Capital has filed an adversary action against Campbell to determine that Campbell cannot discharge the Radiance Capital judgment.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Some countries are urging a stronger UN America’s adversaries also have shunned the board.
—Edith M. Lederer, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
The program put on by the Star Tribune held a four-hour session for local journalists, which included hostile environment awareness and first aid training designed to help students make informed decisions about safety while reporting in volatile situations.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
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Three former employees who worked under Carol Johnson, Austin’s first Civil Rights Officer, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday alleging racial discrimination, retaliation and a hostile work environment within the city’s Office of Civil Rights.—
Chaya Tong,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At the time, the issue of who the enemy was didn’t cause much political disagreement in Washington; it was generally understood to be Al Qaeda, or groups like it.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Spin is the enemy of accountability.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Charley's simple request was to play against opponents with similar physical development.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
-
For any good criminal, the cop is the opponent.—
Richard Johnson,
New York Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Ware finished the defeat with a negative plus/minus of minus 12.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
4 Feb. 2026
-
But his moves did little to stem the flow of negative headlines.—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Would a division foe be willing to cooperate?—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Commentators sided with the worshippers and villainized Lemon, who has been a prominent Trump foe for years, including during his time as a prime time CNN anchor.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Leo's primary rival is SpaceX's Starlink, which has more than 9,000 satellites in orbit and roughly 9 million customers.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Bombardier and Gulfstream are head-to-head rivals, with the Global series battling for market share against Gulfstream’s latest models.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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