as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Tobias Burns, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025
As China and other nation-state adversaries continue to map, conduct reconnaissance, and attack energy infrastructure, these investments are crucial to all Connecticut utilities.
—Brian Harrell, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 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 cultural and political impact for Americans U.S. allies like Europe are lumped together in the new tariffs with economic adversaries like China.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025
As China and other nation-state adversaries continue to map, conduct reconnaissance, and attack energy infrastructure, these investments are crucial to all Connecticut utilities.
—Brian Harrell, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Over the past few weeks, President Trump has used executive orders to wage war on law firms, specifically targeting those whose lawyers have investigated or sued him, or represented his enemies in court.—
Michael Barbaro,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
-
After an all-out war between Jacob and his enemies, scores of lifeless bodies are left on the platform in a win for the current and future Duttons, including that of Banner Creighton (Jerome Flynn).—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
That’s precisely why Boston is a matchup problem for nearly every opponent, but especially those with traditional drop-coverage big men.—
Shane Young,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Online video showed Turner took a knee in protest before her match against the opponent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Past officials have warned of the potential negative impact of tariffs for months as the Trump administration charged forward.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
5 Apr. 2025
-
There has been quite a bit of negative activity around libraries, specifically around organized groups, introducing legislation to limit people’s access to materials in library collections.—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Still, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was impressed with his Yankees foes.—
Brendan Kuty,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
My body, equipped with the primordial fear of starvation, was a formidable foe.—
Emma Pattee,
Glamour,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Meanwhile, the Thunder have thrived against their conference rivals, posting a 36-13 mark.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share