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

Example Sentences

And that discovery probably will spawn more actions against America’s adversaries.

From Barron's

And that discovery probably will spawn more actions against America’s adversaries.

From Barron's

Five years later, the Islamic Revolution transformed the country from ally to adversary.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hunter said: "They were very fierce animals to face in the hunt, so the symbolism of the boar is a lot about the strength of it - a very appropriate adversary in battle."

From BBC

The Growler also carries so-called anti-radiation missiles that detect and then destroy an adversary’s radar.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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