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
Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Last month, however, Trump announced massive tariffs that would hit allies and adversaries alike.
—Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 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
Last week, India and Pakistan, historic adversaries that have fought multiple wars and smaller-scale skirmishes with each other since the 1940s, entered into their most serious armed dispute in years.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Last month, however, Trump announced massive tariffs that would hit allies and adversaries alike.
—Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
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The game is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET and Pacers fans are sure to bring the energy and create a hostile atmosphere for New York.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
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Some of countries in the continent that are rich in uranium, such as Niger and Gabon, may be delicate or difficult to deal with in the near term as both underwent military coups recently, with Niger turning hostile toward the French and more toward the Russians.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
The absence of cloud cover that day exposed the Liberators even more to enemy fire.—
Linda Dudik,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 May 2025
-
Nearly 700,000 people were executed in Stalin’s 1937-38 Great Terror amid show trials and purges of his real and perceived enemies.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Noun
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This creates space for team-mates: opponents are drawn away from Yamal on the left, while Lewandowski is able to work in the little pockets of space that appear around the edge of the penalty box.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Their opponent will be either Laval or Rochester, who are battling for the Northern Division championship.—
Steve Lyttle,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The only negative in a sublime opening period for Florida was Sam Reinhart leaving with an apparent knee injury after enduring a questionable hip-check hit from Sebastian Aho that the league should take a look at.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2025
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Once a loan is 90 days past due, the loan servicer reports the delinquency to the credit reporting bureaus, which can lower the borrower’s credit score and leave a negative mark on their credit report.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
23 May 2025
Noun
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The Twins beat the Royals 5-4 on Saturday afternoon at Target Field, using a Lee single to capture their second win in as many days over their division foes.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
24 May 2025
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Marvel films are littered with figures we’re supposed to identify with who triumph over their foes by showily revealing their true selves.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, Alex closed the season by proposing a merger between her struggling network, UBA, and its rival, NBN, after discovering that tech powerhouse and potential UBA buyer Paul was spying on her co-workers.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
28 May 2025
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The Braves will play Trinity League rival Santa Margarita in Friday’s 7 p.m. Division 1 championship game at Cal State Fullerton.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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