Synonyms of adversary

adversary 1 of 2

adjective

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will

there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hostile
• negative
• adverse
• adversarial
• contentious
• antagonistic
• unfavorable
• mortal
• opposed
• inimical
• unpleasant
• unfriendly
• inhospitable
• conflicting
• antipathetic
• unsympathetic
• militant
• malicious
• jaundiced
• belligerent
• pugnacious
• resisting
• combative
• icy
• contrary
• bellicose
• disagreeable
• frigid
• distant
• truculent
• quarrelsome
• scrappy
• clashing
• antisocial
• disputatious
• malevolent
• vindictive
• cold
• malignant
• argumentative
• disapproving
• hateful
• bitter
• rude
• biased
• unkind
• spiteful
• virulent
• prejudiced
• malign
• discourteous
• surly
• inconsiderate
• acrimonious
• unmannerly
• uncivil
• cool
• impolite
• unsociable
• rancorous
• impertinent
• opprobrious
• unloving
• ill-mannered
• despiteful
• ill-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathetic
• friendly
• civil
• social
• hospitable
• amiable
• pleasant
• gracious
• warm
• amicable
• nonhostile
• cordial
• affable
• gregarious
• genial
• companionable
• convivial
• neighborly
• loving
• affectionate
• nonantagonistic
• sociable
• kind
• sweet
• good-natured
• favorable
• benign
• kindly
• devoted
• nice
• understanding
• agreeable
• comradely
• good-tempered
• accepting
• empathetic
• welcoming
• warmhearted
• approving

adversary

2 of 2

noun

ˈad-vər-ˌser-ē 

1

as in enemy

one that is hostile toward another

our old cat seemed to consider the new kitten an adversary

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enemy
• opponent
• foe
• hostile
• antagonist
• attacker
• archenemy
• competitor
• rival
• combatant
• assailant
• invader
• nemesis
• archfoe
• bête noire
• ill-wisher
• bane
• emulator

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• friend
• partner
• fellow
• buddy
• ally
• pal
• chum
• accomplice
• colleague
• mate
• compadre
• comrade
• crony
• collaborator
• hearty
• musketeer
• disciple
• friendly
• amigo
• abettor
• adherent
• follower
• hail-fellow
• hail-fellow-well-met
• benefactor
• supporter
• exponent
• sympathizer
• hobnobber
• confederate
• backer
• well-wisher

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

• opponent
• foe
• rival
• competitor
• enemy
• antagonist
• contestant
• match
• nemesis
• attacker
• combatant
• assailant
• archenemy
• invader
• equal
• curse
• bane
• bête noire

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partner
• ally
• accomplice
• advocate
• champion
• proponent
• supporter
• exponent
• confederate
• sympathizer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of adversary

Adjective

In the air, stealth aircraft require covert, point-to-point laser links to exchange target data without revealing their position to adversary direction-finding systems. — Rohit Jha, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Yet distillation has been controversial when used by third parties — particularly in adversary nations like China or Russia — to replicate proprietary work without authorization. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026

Noun

Washington, for its part, is creating friction in many of its partnerships instead of deepening them, and risks squandering its network just as its adversaries are learning to make more of theirs. — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

The trunk-rattling track oozes bold proclamations about bag chasing, love at first sight, and cruising past his adversaries. — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026

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