sparring partner

American  

[spahr-ing pahrt-ner] / ˈspɑr ɪŋ ˌpɑrt nər /

noun

1. a boxer who spars with and otherwise serves to train a boxer who is preparing for a bout.

2. a person who serves to sharpen and expand one’s thinking through frequent friendly debate.

   This provocative political writer was the frequent sparring partner of a popular talk show host on TV.

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sparring partner British  

/ ˈspɑːrɪŋ /

noun

1. a person who practises with a boxer during training

2. a person with whom one has friendly arguments

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sparring partner Idioms  

1. An individual with whom one enjoys arguing, as in Jim's my best sparring partner. This expression alludes to boxing, where since about 1900 it has denoted the person one practices or trains with. [Mid-1900s] Also see spar with.

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Etymology

Origin of sparring partner

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

So use it as a sparring partner, not a ghostwriter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

How funny that the sitcom even featured an amalgamation of Kelly and all of her bad-faith compatriots in Leslie’s frequent sparring partner, local telejournalist Joan Callamezzo.

From Salon • Jan. 16, 2026

Barnett was also Bill Clinton’s debate sparring partner during the 1992 presidential campaign.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2025

As the votes are in, we are now hearing reaction from other Senedd members - and first up is his new verbal sparring partner.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2024

Sure enough, my PB&J comes out of the bag looking like a sumo wrestler used it as a sparring partner.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell