adversary
[ad-ver-ser-ee]
- 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.
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- of or relating to an adversary.
- involving adversaries, as plaintiff and defendant in a legal proceeding: an adversary trial.
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Origin of adversary
Synonym study
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.
Antonyms
1. ally.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for adversary
Contemporary Examples
In spite of the many disagreeements, the Obama administration, he said, does not view Russia as “an adversary.”
All the Americans, from FDR down, underestimated the capabilities of their adversary, and exaggerated their own.
The al Qaeda prisoners we held at CIA facilities helped us understand the adversary.
Before you go forward to talk about the future,” he says, “you must understand where your adversary comes from.
Our legal system is an adversary system, predicated upon legal advocacy for both sides.
Historical Examples
They administer stinging rebukes that leave the adversary writhing.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
Esther said, "The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman."
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. IFrancis Augustus Cox
In Calendar's driver, however, he had an adversary of abilities by no means to be despised.
The Black BagLouis Joseph Vance
He tried to imagine the combat, his own attitude, and the position of his adversary.
A Comedy of Marriage and Other TalesGuy De Maupassant
Still however I will not shrink, I will not yield an inch to my adversary.
ImogenWilliam Godwin
adversary
- a person or group that is hostile to someone; enemy
- an opposing contestant in a game or sport
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- the US term for adversarial (def. 2)
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for adversary
n.
mid-14c., aduersere, from Anglo-French adverser (13c.), Old French adversaire "adversary, opponent, enemy," or directly from Latin adversarius "opponent, adversary, rival," noun use of adjective meaning "opposite, hostile, contrary," literally "turned toward one," from adversus "turned against" (see adverse). The Latin word is glossed in Old English by wiðerbroca.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper