adversarial

adjective

ad·​ver·​sar·​i·​al ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl How to pronounce adversarial (audio)
ˌad-və-,
-ˈse-rē-
: involving two people or two sides who oppose each other : of, relating to, or characteristic of an adversary or adversary procedures (see adversary entry 2 sense 2)
an adversarial relationship
an adversarial system of justice with prosecution and defense opposing each other

Examples of adversarial in a Sentence

an adversarial system of justice with prosecution and defense opposing each other the relationship between the president and the congress should not be adversarial if anything is to get done
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That campaign has been dealt a blow by the increased lobbying by social media giants with the new Donald Trump administration, with an eye to turning a once adversarial relationship between government and Big Tech to their advantage. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025 Insurers can transform a traditionally adversarial process into a loyalty-building opportunity by prioritizing transparency, leveraging technology thoughtfully, empowering employees and relentlessly streamlining processes. Meeri Savolainen, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 The six types of space weapons Saltzman said the Space Force categorizes adversarial space weapons in six categories—three that are space-based and three that are ground-based. Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025 Unfortunately for him, there are adversarial twins, both played by Anna Camp, set against him. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adversarial

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adversarial was in 1839

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Cite this Entry

“Adversarial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adversarial. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

adversarial

adjective
ad·​ver·​sar·​i·​al
ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl
: involving two people or two sides who oppose each other

Legal Definition

adversarial

adjective
ad·​ver·​sar·​i·​al ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl How to pronounce adversarial (audio)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of an adversary or adversary procedures : adversary

More from Merriam-Webster on adversarial

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