sparring partner
noun
1
: someone who helps a boxer practice : someone a boxer spars with for training
2
: a person that someone has serious but friendly arguments with
They have been political sparring partners for years.
Examples of sparring partner in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Duke of Hastings and his sparring partner, Will Mondrich, look absolutely dashing — if a bit disheveled, on the Duke's part — in this shot of the pair.
—
Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
The Patch bartender, Barney (K.C. Clyde), is a frequent sparring partner.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Newsom’s office confirmed this week that the Democratic governor – and frequent Trump sparring partner – will be delivering plenary remarks and participating in fireside chats at the conference.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
Gilmore, it should be noted, was hardly Edelman’s only sparring partner in those days.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
They’re not supposed to pay a sparring partner $1.2 million to come and beat them up 35-10 at the Rose Bowl, like the Lobos – 15.5-point underdogs coming in – did Friday night.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
OpenAI Sam Altman was also there, but his online sparring partner, Elon Musk, did not get an invite, The Hill reports.
—PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
Jimmy, one of the lightest heavyweight champions ever, was a sparring partner with Muhammad Ali.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
Younger by a year and a half, Rahaman Ali gave up his own boxing career to become a chauffeur, sparring partner, gofer, chef and right-hand man for older brother Muhammad.
—Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Aug. 2025
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Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
The Patch bartender, Barney (K.C. Clyde), is a frequent sparring partner.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Newsom’s office confirmed this week that the Democratic governor – and frequent Trump sparring partner – will be delivering plenary remarks and participating in fireside chats at the conference.
—Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
Gilmore, it should be noted, was hardly Edelman’s only sparring partner in those days.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
They’re not supposed to pay a sparring partner $1.2 million to come and beat them up 35-10 at the Rose Bowl, like the Lobos – 15.5-point underdogs coming in – did Friday night.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
OpenAI Sam Altman was also there, but his online sparring partner, Elon Musk, did not get an invite, The Hill reports.
—PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
Jimmy, one of the lightest heavyweight champions ever, was a sparring partner with Muhammad Ali.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
Younger by a year and a half, Rahaman Ali gave up his own boxing career to become a chauffeur, sparring partner, gofer, chef and right-hand man for older brother Muhammad.
—Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparring partner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparring%20partner. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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