adversary

[ad-ver-ser-ee]

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.

adjective

1. of or relating to an adversary.

2. involving adversaries, as plaintiff and defendant in a legal proceeding.

   an adversary trial.

adversary

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• adversariness noun
• nonadversarial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adversary¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English adversarie, from Latin adversārius; equivalent to adverse + -ary; replacing Middle English adversere, from Anglo-French

Word History and Origins

Origin of adversary¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Ending that stance would usher in a new era in U.S. relations with North Korea, one where the two countries engage as fellow nuclear powers instead of fierce adversaries.

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Supporters say his seemingly scattershot diplomacy is deliberate, keeping allies and adversaries on their toes.

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The plea agreement he struck with the Justice Department says he turned a blind eye as terrorists, cyber-criminals and foreign adversaries used Binance to embezzle and dodge sanctions.

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The US military described that mission as a demonstration of Washington's commitment "to proactively deter adversary threats, enhance crew training, and ensure the global force readiness necessary to respond to any contingency or challenge."

Read more on Barron's

He warned that falling behind US adversaries in the nuclear arms race would be a "very serious" threat to America's status as "the last great superpower."

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Related Words

• antagonist 
• attacker www.thesaurus.com
• competitor 
• enemy 
• foe 
• opponent 
• rival