adversary

[ ad-ver-ser-ee ]

/ ˈæd vərˌsɛr i /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR adversary 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.

adjective Also 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.

Nearby words

adverb clause, adverbial, adverbial phrase, advergame, adversarial, adversary, adversaryism, adversative, adversative asyndeton, adverse, adverse possession

Origin of adversary

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

ANTONYMS FOR adversary

1 ally.

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Related formsad·ver·sar·i·ness, nounnon·ad·ver·sar·i·al, adjective

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for adversary

In spite of the many disagreeements, the Obama administration, he said, does not view Russia as “an adversary.”
It’s Finally Time for the West to Stand Up to Putin|James Kirchick|July 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All the Americans, from FDR down, underestimated the capabilities of their adversary, and exaggerated their own.
D-Day Was The Largest And One Of The Bloodiest Invasions In History|James A. Warren|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The al Qaeda prisoners we held at CIA facilities helped us understand the adversary.
Never Forget? The CIA Report and the Problem With Hindsight|Philip Mudd|March 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before you go forward to talk about the future,” he says, “you must understand where your adversary comes from.
Jaffa: A Tale Of Two Lands|Lauren Gelfond Feldinger|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Our legal system is an adversary system, predicated upon legal advocacy for both sides.
Republicans Attack Obama DOJ Nominee Who Defended a ‘Cop-Killer’|David Freedlander|February 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With shining eyes, Crochard dropped on one knee beside his adversary, and bent for a moment above the body.
The Destroyer|Burton Egbert Stevenson
Mayo closed in, got Bradish's right hand in a grip, and doubled the arm behind his adversary's back.
Blow The Man Down|Holman Day
He leaned over his adversary in greater remorse and pity than he would have readily confessed to himself.
The Disowned, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Metternich saw his advantage: his adversary had lost his temper and forgotten his dignity.
The Life of Napoleon I (Volumes, 1 and 2)|John Holland Rose
If a duellist is killed, his adversary must stand by the body till the police arrive, and deliver himself up to them.
The Modern Pistol and How to Shoot It|Walter Winans

British Dictionary definitions for adversary

adversary

/ (ˈædvəsərɪ) /

noun plural -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)

Word Origin for 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

Word Origin and History for adversary

adversary

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.

adversary

noun, plural ad·ver·sar·ies.

adjective Also especially British, ad·ver·sar·i·al [ad-ver-sair-ee-uhl] /ˌæd vərˈsɛər i əl/.

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Origin of adversary

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for adversary

British Dictionary definitions for adversary

adversary

noun plural -saries

adjective

Word Origin for adversary

Word Origin and History for adversary

adversary