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
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
But legal scholars warn that the restrictions aimed at the law firms strike at the rule of law and the nation's adversarial system of justice.
—
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2025
Their relentless advocacy for – and achievement of – a regulatory environment that is profoundly misguided and adversarial to utilities will slow, or even eliminate, the proactive security investments our customers need, in which PURA’s partnership and collaboration is essential.
—Brian Harrell, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
Immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi told Newsweek that this bill aligns with other Trump hardline immigration policies, such as invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite deportations of migrants from countries deemed adversarial.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
In contrast to the previous administration’s cautious and often adversarial stance on crypto, the Trump administration appears poised to implement a more industry and innovation-first approach to digital asset regulation.
—Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversarial
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Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2025
Their relentless advocacy for – and achievement of – a regulatory environment that is profoundly misguided and adversarial to utilities will slow, or even eliminate, the proactive security investments our customers need, in which PURA’s partnership and collaboration is essential.
—Brian Harrell, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
Immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi told Newsweek that this bill aligns with other Trump hardline immigration policies, such as invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite deportations of migrants from countries deemed adversarial.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
In contrast to the previous administration’s cautious and often adversarial stance on crypto, the Trump administration appears poised to implement a more industry and innovation-first approach to digital asset regulation.
—Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversarial
Cite this Entry
“Adversarial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adversarial. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal 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
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