adversary

American  

[ad-ver-ser-ee] / ˈæd vərˌsɛr i /

noun

plural

adversaries

1. a person, group, or force that opposes or attacks; opponent; enemy; foe.

   Antonyms:

   ally

2. a person, group, etc., that is an opponent in a contest; contestant.

3. the Adversary, the devil; Satan.

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adjective

1. of or relating to an adversary.

2. involving adversaries, as plaintiff and defendant in a legal proceeding.

   an adversary trial.

adversary British  

/ ˈædvəsərɪ /

noun

1. a person or group that is hostile to someone; enemy

2. an opposing contestant in a game or sport

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adjective

1. the US term for adversarial

Related Words

Adversary, antagonist mean a person or a group contending against another. Adversary suggests an enemy who fights determinedly, continuously, and relentlessly: a formidable adversary. Antagonist suggests one who, in hostile spirit, opposes another, often in a particular contest or struggle: a duel with an antagonist.

Other Word Forms

• adversariness
  noun
• nonadversarial
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of adversary

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English adversarie, from Latin adversārius; equivalent to adverse + -ary; replacing Middle English adversere, from Anglo-French

Explanation

An adversary is an enemy or someone who opposes someone else. In tennis, you stand across the net from your adversary. Adversary is related to the word adverse, meaning "against or contrary" — so think of an adversary as someone whom you are fighting against. If you're the undefeated chess champion, you have bested every single one of your adversaries. Adversary is derived from a Latin word meaning "against."

Example Sentences

But the package also included another bill that’s arguably earned more attention: the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2024

In the House, voting on the so-called TikTok bill - real name, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act - has concluded.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2024

The Texas Republican and former Navy combat veteran also has given the legislation a compelling name: “The Anti-Foreign Adversary Collaboration Resolution.”

From Washington Times • Mar. 8, 2023

The Death of the Adversary had been out of print for decades after being published in German in 1959 and in English in 1962.

From The Guardian • Oct. 17, 2010

How is each lunge, and ward, of tart reproof, And bitter repartee—painful to friends— By th’ Adversary hailed with general yell Of triumph, or derision!

From The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, May 1844 Volume 23, Number 5 by Clark, Lewis Gaylord

Related Words

• antagonist
• attacker
• competitor
• enemy
• foe
• opponent
• rival