sparring partner
noun
1
: someone who helps a boxer practice : someone a boxer spars with for training
2
: a person that someone has serious but friendly arguments with
They have been political sparring partners for years.
Examples of sparring partner in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He’s challenged on his views, with Dennings making a more than capable sparring partner.
—
Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 6 Jan. 2025
The ever-captivating Capaldi has found a wonderful sparring partner in Jumbo.
—Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 23 Dec. 2024
That complex relationship takes on a new tone when Hecate acts as the game's first major boss, offering both a friendly sparring partner and a relentless, almost mocking test of Melinoe's readiness for the task ahead of her.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 2 May 2024
His sparring partner in cross-examination was Lloyd Whelchel, a 54-year-old former Division I college football player and longtime Tarrant County homicide prosecutor who six weeks ago handled a case in which a jury sent the defendant to death row.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2024
Circle the calendar: Edwards’ Wildcats, an old Big Eight/Big 12 rival who’ll become a regular sparring partner with CU again, visit Boulder on Oct. 12.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 12 May 2024
His main sparring partner is Sandrine Rousseau, an economist and a Green Party member of Parliament who was a leader of the French #MeToo movement.
—Elisabeth Zerofsky, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024
Having a very capable sparring partner in the courtroom adds another obstacle to the already complex case.
—Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 6 June 2023
Grammer disappears back into his signature role, but without his one true sparring partner, Frasier feels adrift.
—TIME, 9 Oct. 2023
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Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 6 Jan. 2025
The ever-captivating Capaldi has found a wonderful sparring partner in Jumbo.
—Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 23 Dec. 2024
That complex relationship takes on a new tone when Hecate acts as the game's first major boss, offering both a friendly sparring partner and a relentless, almost mocking test of Melinoe's readiness for the task ahead of her.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 2 May 2024
His sparring partner in cross-examination was Lloyd Whelchel, a 54-year-old former Division I college football player and longtime Tarrant County homicide prosecutor who six weeks ago handled a case in which a jury sent the defendant to death row.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2024
Circle the calendar: Edwards’ Wildcats, an old Big Eight/Big 12 rival who’ll become a regular sparring partner with CU again, visit Boulder on Oct. 12.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 12 May 2024
His main sparring partner is Sandrine Rousseau, an economist and a Green Party member of Parliament who was a leader of the French #MeToo movement.
—Elisabeth Zerofsky, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024
Having a very capable sparring partner in the courtroom adds another obstacle to the already complex case.
—Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 6 June 2023
Grammer disappears back into his signature role, but without his one true sparring partner, Frasier feels adrift.
—TIME, 9 Oct. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near sparring partner
Cite this Entry
“Sparring partner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparring%20partner. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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