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

The six-part series, titled The Trip to the Northern Lights, reunites Brydon with long-time sparring partner Steve Coogan for their first Trip together in more than five years.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2025

The boxer is a sparring partner for Marian, who works out her aggression in the ring.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2025

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