adversary

American  

[ad-ver-ser-ee] / ˈæd vərˌsɛr i /

noun

adversaries plural

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.

---

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

---

adjective

1. the US term for adversarial

Synonym Usage

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

Derived Forms

• nonadversarial
  adjective
• adversariness
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• adversaries
  plural

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

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

Remember that the Devil is also known as the Adversary; he only makes sense in opposition to a corresponding entity who stands for good.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2016

He's the author of The Moustache, a wonderfully surreal little novel; The Adversary and Class Trip, both of which have been turned into successful movies; and a kooky biography of Philip K Dick.

From The Guardian • Oct. 15, 2010

Relation of the Antagonism between the Messiah and the great Adversary to the local, personal, and visible Manifestations of the former—Modes of Visibility on the part of the latter, through human agents and various instrumentalities.

From The Messiah in Moses and the Prophets by Lord, Eleazar

Related Words

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