as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations
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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
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
Minimizing that risk sometimes allowed U.S. adversaries to predict and even dictate the tempo of these interactions.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 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
The Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, a major U.S. military hub located some 100 miles to the south, form part of the second island chain, a U.S. defense concept that seeks to contain America's adversaries such as China in the Western Pacific Ocean.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
Minimizing that risk sometimes allowed U.S. adversaries to predict and even dictate the tempo of these interactions.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
In a notable thawing of tensions between Russia and the U.S., Trump even promised to visit Moscow, and said Putin would be welcome in Washington, D.C. The president has also become increasingly hostile toward Ukraine.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
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China’s relentless nuclear buildup, its hostile espionage operations, its militant rhetoric, and, above all, its support for Russia suggest that Xi has already made his call and that a confrontation with the United States is inevitable.—
Sergey Radchenko,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Republicans are comparably less inclined to see it as an enemy than are Americans overall.—
Anthony Salvanto,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Article 2 was the party’s enemies list: the U.S., Europe, NATO, and the United Nations.—
James Verini,
The New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The big picture: The legislation is driving a deep wedge between the Democratic Party and the restaurant industry with supporters and opponents on both sides.—
John Frank,
Axios,
27 Feb. 2025
-
But the Terps lost for the first time in five games and slipped to 16-2 this winter at Xfinity Center, falling at home to a league opponent for the first time this season and losing at home for the first time since a 78-74 setback to then-No. 15 Marquette on Nov. 15.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Consumers deciding to ‘sit it out and wait’ At first glance, January’s spending slump, the first negative monthly reading in nearly two years, appears to substantiate an increasingly unsettling picture of the economic outlook.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
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The restoration was completed from a 4K, 16-bit scan of the 35mm original camera negative by Vinegar Syndrome in Bridgeport, Connecticut, via an ARRISCAN XT.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Trump is also a fan of dramatic videos and social media posts that depict him and his allies dominating their foes.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2025
-
With the finalists determined after Canada beat Finland 5-3 on Monday and the U.S. secured its spot with a 3-1 win over Canada on Saturday, there is plenty of hype, both among star players and eager fans, heading into the battle between the North American foes.—
Alex Andrejev,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Their rivals Celtic are on course to win the 13th title out of the last 14, with Rangers’ only triumph coming in 2020-21.—
Jordan Campbell,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
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Just two seconds after the opening puck drop, the Florida Panthers left wing, Matthew, dropped the gloves with his cross-state rival, Brandon Hagel of the Tampa Bay Lightning.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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