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
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Lawmakers in Washington fear ByteDance is ultimately answerable to the Chinese government, which could make Americans' data and political views potentially vulnerable to a foreign adversary.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 13 Feb. 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
Forcing allies into payments undermines trust within the alliance and signals that U.S. commitments are unreliable, emboldening adversaries.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Lawmakers in Washington fear ByteDance is ultimately answerable to the Chinese government, which could make Americans' data and political views potentially vulnerable to a foreign adversary.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
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But several of Barker’s best moments and best performances have come in high-pressure games or in hostile atmospheres.—
Oliver Kay,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
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But what Briner sees as a way of enhancing opportunities for people and communities – defined in the law as social equity applicants – was viewed as hostile to those same applicants during testimony last week.—
Peter Callaghan,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Do Trump and Vance and their administration regard Ukraine as an ally and Putin’s Russia as an enemy?—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
18 Feb. 2025
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At the conclusion of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), dictator Francisco Franco declared victory and punished everyone who had opposed him: imprisonment or execution for those at the top of his enemies list and a purge in employment possibilities for others.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The team initially was meant to legitimately compete against the Globetrotters but eventually became the ultimate crash test dummy for its opponents donning red, white and blue on the hardwood.—
Jason Jones,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
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In any case, Spanberger could be a formidable opponent.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Industry traffic was negative every month except November, and sales slid over the summer, which is typically a high point for restaurants.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2025
-
For some pets, especially those with past negative experiences, loud noises, sudden movements, or aggressive tones can be triggering.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Thus the ending of the old monarch was properly marked by friends and foes alike.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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The senior battled in the post, fronting and denying his much taller foe both good position and the ball in the fourth quarter of a pivotal Oakland Athletic League game.—
Christian Babcock,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Their most recent appearance was at the 2023 Super Bowl against tonight's rival, the Kansas City Chiefs.—
Lucia Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2025
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Her 20 goals last season single-handedly accounted for nearly six percent of the league’s total offense — nine more than her closest rivals, her teammate Nurse and rookie of the year Grace Zumwinkle of the Frost.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near adversary
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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