as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
This is a testament to the IDF's efforts to mitigate harm against an adversary that deliberately puts civilians in harm's way.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 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 United States remains economically dominant while other contenders—both adversaries and allies—are slipping into long-term decline.
—Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
This is a testament to the IDF's efforts to mitigate harm against an adversary that deliberately puts civilians in harm's way.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
Both saw themselves as outsiders in a hostile environment.Ruth Margalit, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
-
In public, her tics are often met with stares and whispers — or at worst, hostile confrontations — from nearby strangers.Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The system is often the enemy in Eastwood’s movies.A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
-
Historically the enemies of Christian America were secular humanists, feminists and then more recently Democrats and the woke.John Blake, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The teams’ defenses kept their opponents in check through the first quarter and a half.Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
-
Thoughts now turn to Trudeau’s successor, with Conservative opponent Pierre Poilievre the favorite, although general elections won’t take place for some time.Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Each of them allows your mind to move into a more neutral mindset, taking it away from all the stressors and negative thoughts of the day.Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 11 Jan. 2025
-
During his first term, the former president attacked Bezos over negative coverage in the Washington Post, which Bezos owns.Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The mythology surrounding James himself likewise had many authors, all converging toward portraying him as a dashing foe of the bankers and railroad barons who had come to represent the inequities of America’s Gilded Age.Joshua Hunt, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
-
The title is known for being a time-consuming game that requires hours of grinding to level up one's character to defeat foes.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
What To Know Fico this week faced sharp criticism from his political rival Michal Šimečka over a trip to Moscow on December 22 to meet Putin.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
-
But Hamas’ main rival, the Palestinian Authority, has little credibility among Gaza’s residents.Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near adversary
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share