versus
preposition
1
: against
2
: in contrast to or as the alternative of
free trade versus protection
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Abbreviating Versus
In a number of areas the English language is possessed of an embarrassment of riches, with multiple synonyms or abbreviations for a word. One such case is versus, which is often written in a shortened form. You may choose between vs, vs., and v. Take care, when writing the word out in full, that you distinguish between versus (a preposition meaning “against”) and verses (“lines of metrical writing”).
Examples of versus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ace versus ace The primes of Lincecum and Kershaw never truly aligned.
—
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
And while a federal US framework is preferred, versus a patchwork of state rules, Pentland told Semafor that companies can’t afford to wait for those rules, given how fast the technology is developing.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025
While details on Bellotti’s inaugural collection are still under wraps, the venue makes for a telling choice with its contrast between essential and modern interiors versus the view on a storied building.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Only 12% of Gen Z secures full-time employment by graduation, versus 40% of earlier graduates.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for versus
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Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
And while a federal US framework is preferred, versus a patchwork of state rules, Pentland told Semafor that companies can’t afford to wait for those rules, given how fast the technology is developing.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025
While details on Bellotti’s inaugural collection are still under wraps, the venue makes for a telling choice with its contrast between essential and modern interiors versus the view on a storied building.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Only 12% of Gen Z secures full-time employment by graduation, versus 40% of earlier graduates.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for versus
Cite this Entry
“Versus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/versus. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: against sense 1a
the champion versus the challenger
2
: in contrast to or as the alternative of
the tastiness of store-bought versus homemade cookies
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