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
Smith hasn't consistently debated a sparring partner of substance since Max Kellerman left the show in 2021.
—
Bobby Burack Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
The young professionals who thrive here treat AI as a sparring partner rather than a ghostwriter.
—
Andy Molinsky,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Since June's departure from Gilead at the end of The Handmaid's Tale, Lydia's picked up a new sparring partner in Aunt Vidala, the second-in-command at Lydia's rigorous pre-marital prep school for girls.
—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Apr. 2026
These moments show students evaluating AI output critically and treating it almost as a sparring partner, rather than simply copying it.
—
Jeanne Beatrix Law,
The Conversation,
26 Mar. 2026
Francisco works odd jobs around Manila, and also works as a sparring partner for up-and-coming Filipino boxers.
—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
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
Gilmore, it should be noted, was hardly Edelman’s only sparring partner in those days.
—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
Jimmy, one of the lightest heavyweight champions ever, was a sparring partner with Muhammad Ali.
—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Bobby Burack Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
The young professionals who thrive here treat AI as a sparring partner rather than a ghostwriter.
—
Andy Molinsky,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Since June's departure from Gilead at the end of The Handmaid's Tale, Lydia's picked up a new sparring partner in Aunt Vidala, the second-in-command at Lydia's rigorous pre-marital prep school for girls.
—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Apr. 2026
These moments show students evaluating AI output critically and treating it almost as a sparring partner, rather than simply copying it.
—
Jeanne Beatrix Law,
The Conversation,
26 Mar. 2026
Francisco works odd jobs around Manila, and also works as a sparring partner for up-and-coming Filipino boxers.
—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
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
Gilmore, it should be noted, was hardly Edelman’s only sparring partner in those days.
—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
Jimmy, one of the lightest heavyweight champions ever, was a sparring partner with Muhammad Ali.
—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparring partner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparring%20partner. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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