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
Mark Schlakman, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2025
Their fears intensified after Trump signed a battery of executive orders aimed at punishing top firms over old associations with his adversaries.
—Molly Redden, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 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 Trump administration is reportedly expanding the scope of denaturalization and is being called out for allegedly weaponizing it against current political adversaries such as Elon Musk.
—Mark Schlakman, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2025
Their fears intensified after Trump signed a battery of executive orders aimed at punishing top firms over old associations with his adversaries.
—Molly Redden, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
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The climate for filmmakers looking to interrogate the Russian war effort remains hostile.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
31 Aug. 2025
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The president’s hostile, but at times confusing, remarks over the last several days have put the city on edge as leaders condemned the plan as unnecessary and dangerous.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Hardy from the Griffith Institute of Criminology says researchers are studying how police can deescalate interactions with sovereign citizens, who may view them as frontline enemies.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
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With many of the biggest rappers stateside on Drake’s enemies list, he’s seemingly found a wealth of inspiration across the pond.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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As the other undefeated team, Canada outscored its three opponents 19-4, but had to rely on some third-period outbursts to run up those offensive numbers.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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On the ball, Maresca’s preference is for his side to build with short passes from his goalkeeper, often with the aim of baiting opponents into a press that creates space higher up the pitch.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Crone’s process isn’t just about helping the individual think positively but eliminating the negative thinking that restricts potential.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
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Italy The report, combined with data from BCD Travel and American Express Global Business Travel, as reported by Skift Friday, show that the negative travel sentiment rippling through Canada, Western Europe and some parts of Asia isn’t affecting those with corporate interests in the United States.—
Monica Pitrelli,
CNBC,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Their problems don’t stop there, as in the process, several other foes are released, including a demon and a werewolf.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez, the mayor’s top foe on the 13-seat commission, blasted Levine Cava’s recent reveal of a budget situation that is less dire than first presented.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The company has quickly fallen behind rivals like Walmart, Amazon and Costco.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
20 Aug. 2025
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What’s more, such companies may find rivals like Databricks and Snowflake to be a better fit – which could be profitable for Citron Research’s short position in Palantir.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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