adversarial

adjective

ad·​ver·​sar·​i·​al ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl 

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

Synonyms

• adversary
• antagonistic
• antipathetic
• hostile
• inhospitable
• inimical
• jaundiced
• mortal
• negative
• unfriendly
• unsympathetic

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

As for drones from adversarial nations, Loeb said that possibility should come as no surprise, since a Chinese spy balloon was spotted back in early 2023 flying at a high altitude across the United States. —Leonard David, Space.com, 21 Dec. 2024

Yet our recent global study reveals a startling truth: most companies remain stuck in an outdated, adversarial approach to deal-making. —Tim Cummins daniel J. Finkenstadt, Harvard Business Review, 18 Dec. 2024

Electronic warfare systems are also frequently used to counter adversarial drones. —Vikram Mittal, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Expanding export restrictions on EV battery technology to adversarial nations. —Jarrett Renshaw and Chris Kirkham, Detroit Free Press, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

adversary entry 1 + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

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 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of an adversary or adversary procedures : adversary