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
Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
So, there's always that concern of our adversaries.
—Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 1 July 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
And are there any lessons foreign leaders, allies and adversaries alike should be taking from Trump’s decision to bomb Iran?
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
So, there's always that concern of our adversaries.
—Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
Forced to work in a more hostile environment than.when it was first established in 2019, the mission faces limited options for evacuations due to the ongoing suspension of international commercial flights, and mobility, because of gangs’ ongoing gang encirclement of Port-au-Prince.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
-
From retail shops to corner bodegas and independent grocery stores, the past few years have not only forced small business owners to confront staggering economic challenges, but also a needlessly hostile regulatory environment brought on by out-of-touch policymakers.—
Tosha Miller,
New York Daily News,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Trump appointed Bondi as attorney general after numerous reports suggested the president wanted a loyalist who would do his bidding and seek retribution against his enemies, after Trump faced pushback in his first term from previous attorneys general like William Barr.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
Still, fun enemy designs – such as one pictured above based on the Hydnellum peckii (bleeding tooth fungus) – already started to come together.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
This machinery radicalizes communities, recruits operatives, launders funds, and targets opponents abroad.—
Roya Boroumand,
Time,
9 July 2025
-
If Green is ready to make an impact as a rookie, the Ravens’ defense will be a handful for opponents.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Importantly, Democrats will need to win back at least one chamber of Congress next year to have a chance at avoiding the Medicaid cuts, after warning for months about the negative impacts.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
10 July 2025
-
Kotsay said Wilson has a left wrist contusion, but that X-rays returned negative and that Wilson would be day-to-day.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
At the same time, Trump touts his Golden Dome missile shield, meant to protect the homeland and give America greater freedom of action against its foes.—
Hal Brands,
Twin Cities,
13 July 2025
-
Instead, Netanyahu, who is seen as a masterful politician by friends and foes alike, is expected to thread the needle.—
Joseph Krauss,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
The same could be said for other states threatened by nuclear-armed rivals.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
In the process, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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