versus
preposition
1
: against
2
: in contrast to or as the alternative of
free trade versus protection
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Abbreviating Versus
In a number of areas the English language is possessed of an embarrassment of riches, with multiple synonyms or abbreviations for a word. One such case is versus, which is often written in a shortened form. You may choose between vs, vs., and v. Take care, when writing the word out in full, that you distinguish between versus (a preposition meaning “against”) and verses (“lines of metrical writing”).
Examples of versus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Therefore, when the sympathetic versus parasympathetic balance is off, all sorts of things in your mind and body can be adversely affected.
—
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Despite owning a trio of market-leading businesses, the company still trades at a heavy discount: around seven-times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization versus low to mid-teens for peers and even higher multiples for Tripadvisor historically.
—Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 12 July 2025
Aaron Judge homered three times on March 29 at home versus the Milwaukee Brewers, and Jasson Domínguez hit a trio of shots on May 9 against the Athletics in West Sacramento.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Adding a matchup versus George Washington nearly completes the nonconference schedule for the Gators, which also includes games versus Arizona (Nov. 3), Duke (Dec. 2) and UConn (Dec. 9).
—Cameron Priester, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for versus
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Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Despite owning a trio of market-leading businesses, the company still trades at a heavy discount: around seven-times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization versus low to mid-teens for peers and even higher multiples for Tripadvisor historically.
—Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 12 July 2025
Aaron Judge homered three times on March 29 at home versus the Milwaukee Brewers, and Jasson Domínguez hit a trio of shots on May 9 against the Athletics in West Sacramento.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Adding a matchup versus George Washington nearly completes the nonconference schedule for the Gators, which also includes games versus Arizona (Nov. 3), Duke (Dec. 2) and UConn (Dec. 9).
—Cameron Priester, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for versus
Cite this Entry
“Versus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/versus. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: against sense 1a
the champion versus the challenger
2
: in contrast to or as the alternative of
the tastiness of store-bought versus homemade cookies
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