adversary

[ ad-ver-ser-ee ]

See synonyms for: adversary adversaries on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural ad·ver·sar·ies.

a person, group, or force that opposes or attacks; opponent; enemy; foe.
a person, group, etc., that is an opponent in a contest; contestant.

the Adversary, the devil; Satan.

adjectiveAlso especially British, ad·ver·sar·i·al

[ad-ver-sair-ee-uhl]. /ˌæd vərˈsɛər i əl/.

of or relating to an adversary.
involving adversaries, as plaintiff and defendant in a legal proceeding: an adversary trial.

Origin of adversary

1300–50; Middle English adversarie<Latin adversārius, equivalent to advers(us) (see adverse) + -ārius-ary; replacing Middle English adversere<Anglo-French

synonym study For adversary

1. 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.

Opposites for adversary

ally

See antonyms for adversary on Thesaurus.com

Other words from adversary

ad·ver·sar·i·ness, noun
non·ad·ver·sar·i·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use adversary in a sentence

It is, after all, supposed to be a secret business whose practices and methods are not known to adversaries or friends.
CIA Agents Assess: How Real Is ‘Homeland’? | Chuck Cogan, John MacGaffin | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The North Koreans are usually willing to talk for various reasons: to get aid, to divide their adversaries, to create confusion.
Should Obama Take North Korea’s Bait? | Gordon G. Chang | October 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
They were not political allies, but they were not bitter adversaries, either, Barone recalls.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon Shows Us How Not to Govern | Eleanor Clift | August 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Develop better systems and techniques than your adversaries.
Mike Leach Tackles Geronimo the Motivational Murderer | James A. Warren | August 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Soviet SAMs were to become one of the most formidable and feared adversaries in wars cold and hot.
Russia’s Missiles Stung the World Long Before MH17 | Clive Irving | July 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

Distances were to him as nothing; and difficulties only stimulated him to give his adversaries a more signal overthrow.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane Porter
He made a violent assault against the nation of his enemies, and in the descent he destroyed the adversaries.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
As unto revenge, as it were to repay wrath to his adversaries, and a reward to his enemies: he will repay the like to the islands.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
The Girondists had recently been called in the journals and inflammatory speeches of their adversaries the Rolandists.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. Abbott
But the dominant party, elated by the victory which they had gained over their adversaries, were encouraged to fresh extortions.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for adversary

adversary

/ (ˈædvəsərɪ) /

nounplural -saries

a person or group that is hostile to someone; enemy
an opposing contestant in a game or sport

adjective

the US term for adversarial (def. 2)

Origin of adversary

C14: from Latin adversārius, from adversus against. See adverse

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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