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
Mark Schlakman, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2025
Their fears intensified after Trump signed a battery of executive orders aimed at punishing top firms over old associations with his adversaries.
—Molly Redden, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 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
The Trump administration is reportedly expanding the scope of denaturalization and is being called out for allegedly weaponizing it against current political adversaries such as Elon Musk.
—Mark Schlakman, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2025
Their fears intensified after Trump signed a battery of executive orders aimed at punishing top firms over old associations with his adversaries.
—Molly Redden, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
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In recent weeks, both have also moved military forces to the border near Assab and are engaging in escalating exchanges of hostile rhetoric.—
Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Trump has moved closer to Pakistan, with which India has hostile relations and the U.S. has historically had a complex and sometimes tense relationship, especially as Pakistan has grown closer to and is primarily armed by China.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Bomarc rockets had jets designed to propel a W40 nuclear warhead into high-flying USSR aircraft, which would detonate in the sky, showering the earth with radioactive debris, neutralizing quite a few enemies of American freedom.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
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Strategic bombings are a critical component of modern warfare, crippling supply lines, disrupting operations, and breaking enemy morale.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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On the ball, Maresca’s preference is for his side to build with short passes from his goalkeeper, often with the aim of baiting opponents into a press that creates space higher up the pitch.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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As the other undefeated team, Canada outscored its three opponents 19-4, but had to rely on some third-period outbursts to run up those offensive numbers.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Fewer visitors translate to less visitor spending, and in turn to lower tax revenue and job losses in the tourism industry, sending a negative ripple effect throughout the national economy.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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The negative consequences of this content go well beyond the individuals misquoted.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But Birmingham are expected to be one of the clubs in contention for a play-offs spot, perhaps alongside former League One foes Wrexham.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Wednesday returns to the Gothic halls of Nevermore Academy, where fresh foes and woes await.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Both companies are under enormous pressure from digital rivals and shrinking TV advertising markets, and the Berlusconi family believes a scaled European player is better placed to compete with giants from the U.S. and China.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 Aug. 2025
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The retailer, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a federal court in Delaware Wednesday, has been dealing with several problems in recent years including competition from online rivals, mounting debt and the uncertainty from tariffs.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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