as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations
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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
Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Your main adversary in the fight to change these rules has been Speaker Johnson.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 8 Apr. 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
To build political capital: Make your achievements visible (without bragging)
Connect your work to organizational priorities
Develop relationships with potential allies AND potential adversaries
Create a diverse network both inside and outside your organization
4.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Your main adversary in the fight to change these rules has been Speaker Johnson.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
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Andreas typically waits until there have been three instances of potential hostile communication before asking her friend or colleague if everything is OK.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
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Home to one of the world’s largest refugee populations – most of them from Afghanistan – Pakistan has not always welcomed the foreigners, subjecting them to hostile living conditions and threatening deportation over the years.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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When taking on enemies, taking in their attack patterns is the optimal answer to their onslaught.—
Scott McRae,
Rolling Stone,
24 Mar. 2025
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More often smoke is used for screening, placing a thick curtain of smoke between friendly and enemy forces.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Just because of his style, Muhammad hasn't been much of a finisher to date in his MMA career, but he's got the kind of style that's great for breaking down opponents over time.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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The Luddites weren’t mindless opponents of technology but had a clear logic to their actions—an essentially conservative one.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But if your reflection is limited to replaying the negative parts of your social interactions and perpetuating feelings of shame or self-criticism, that’s less constructive, says Janeé Steele, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Kalamazoo, Michigan.—
Seraphina Seow,
Vogue,
17 Apr. 2025
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The evidence for this is her (few) actions at the tournament, which are being construed as overwhelmingly negative.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In the comics, Muse uses the blood of his victims to create his art and is a particularly difficult foe for Daredevil because of his powers.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
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Give me Tennesee to cover without too much trouble against a UCLA team that dominated its first-round foe, Utah State, but went just 23-10 (13-7 Big Ten) this year.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In at least one case, the governor has viewed an open presidential post as an opportunity to move a rival out of Tallahassee.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
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Unlike last year, Fox Corp. has no immediate Super Bowl broadcast to help buoy sales, and, like its media rivals, faces market uncertainties due to the Trump administration’s current efforts to levy tariffs.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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