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, 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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And Marguerite did actually manage to live there for years, scraping together a life on the hostile tundra.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
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And this is a very hard-line government that has taken a kind of hostile view of everybody in the region.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Coming from an impoverished family, Ding eagerly took part in public humiliation rallies against teachers, intellectuals, government officials and others labeled as enemies of Mao’s vision.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
12 May 2025
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Asking everyone else to leave, the two enemies have a private conversation that finally gets Faye out of Specter Litt Williams for good.—
Tanya Melendez,
EW.com,
9 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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From foe to friend: the Los Angeles Kings have hired Ken Holland as their new general manager.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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Find out if ants are friends or foes to your peonies, plus how to remove them before bringing cut peony flowers indoors.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2025
Noun
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If Boasberg buys Meta's argument that TikTok is actually Meta's biggest rival—and not Snap or MeWe—Meta could have an easier time shutting down the case.—
Ashley Belanger – May 16,
ArsTechnica,
16 May 2025
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That was the worry among some of the Los Angeles Kings’ faithful – and a source of joy among fans of their rivals – as Holland was introduced as the Kings’ general manager on Thursday.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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