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
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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
Examples 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
Sebastian Elbaum, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2024
Another 20 percent said the armed forces should be sufficient to win simultaneous conflicts against China and a smaller adversary, such as North Korea or Iran.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
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
Indulging the illusion that humans can control these systems while war is ongoing will tie democratic nations’ hands against adversaries with no such compunctions.
—Sebastian Elbaum, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2024
Another 20 percent said the armed forces should be sufficient to win simultaneous conflicts against China and a smaller adversary, such as North Korea or Iran.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
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In story mode, there are a few other people to find on the island, some of whom will be helpful and others hostile.Jason Bennett, arkansasonline.com, 15 Dec. 2024
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For example – in the run-up to this year’s U.S. presidential election, former Department of Homeland Security chief of staff Miles Taylor observed that hostile states intending to spread disruption no longer need to influence the vote itself.Bernard Marr, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In a truly unprecedented move, the IAF successfully assassinated Israel’s long-time enemy, veteran Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, on September 27, 2024, in an enormous airstrike on Beirut.Paul Iddon, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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This terrifying and occasionally gory tale follows a warrior in an unfamiliar environment forced by a floating gold orb, Puck, to eat many enemies, thus becoming stronger.Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Again, is this Kansas City’s credit or the opponents’ blame?Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
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Since the announcement of Patel’s nomination, most concern has centered on the idea that, under his leadership, the F.B.I. would launch criminal investigations of Trump’s political opponents and media critics.Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Revenues at Bottega Veneta totaled 1.6 billion euros in 2023 and the brand posted 4 percent organic growth in the first nine months of 2024, bucking the overall negative trend at Kering.WWD, WWD, 12 Dec. 2024
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What made VistaVision special compared to rival formats like CinemaScope was its larger negative — around twice the size of a typical 35mm film frame, as the film was run through the camera horizontally rather than vertically.Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Leaders looking at 2025 want to incorporate AI as a friend, not a foe, to enable greater efficiency, output and growth.Chris Westfall, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
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This game against a potential playoff foe was somewhat of a litmus test for the Seahawks, who handled business coming out of the bye week with wins over the Cardinals (twice), 49ers and Jets.Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Windsor and East Catholic didn’t have to play each other until mid-February last season and then the two CCC rivals played each other twice in two weeks, with Windsor winning the regular season game, 77-73 and the CCC championship, 63-61.Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 16 Dec. 2024
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The Starlink rival will provide secure connectivity to governmental users as well as private companies and European citizens, and bring high-speed internet to dead-zones.Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near adversary
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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