adversary

[ ad-ver-ser-ee ]

/ ˈæd vərˌsɛr i /

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See synonyms for: adversary / adversaries 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.

OPPOSITES FOR adversary

1 ally.

See antonyms for adversary on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of adversary

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

synonym study for adversary

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM adversary

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use adversary in a sentence

There was a lot of positive feedback from people interested in non-gender binary people.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She ultimately ditched JSwipe after about a week and found her current, non-Jewish, boyfriend on OkCupid.
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
An atheist counsels his fellow non-believers on how not to talk to people of faith.
The Case Against In-Your-Face Atheism|Steve Neumann|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The distinction between over-policing and non-responsiveness was alive and well in Bed-Stuy.
Ground Zero of the NYPD Slowdown|Batya Ungar-Sargon|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Last summer, Louisiana also banned non-legal adoption, with offenders facing a penalty of $5,000 and up to five years in prison.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking|Tina Traster|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The expatriated ex-rebels became alarmed by the non-receipt of the indemnity instalment and the news from their homes.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
He also states that the Audiencia is virtually non-existent, and so there is no high court in which justice may be sought.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
De moi, je ne say qu'en dire, d'autant que je ne veux affirmer ny le si ny le non en ce dont je n'ay vidence.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Certes le capitaine Merveilles et ses gens monstrerent leur pit non vulgaire.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
It teaches you to take your time, or as the Germans call it, it gives you "Ruhe (repose)," the grand sine qua non!
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay

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

adversary

OPPOSITES FOR adversary

Origin of adversary

synonym study for adversary

OTHER WORDS FROM adversary

Words related to adversary

How to use adversary in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for adversary

Word Origin for adversary