as in hostile
marked by opposition or ill will
there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
our old cat seemed to consider the new kitten an adversary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opponent
one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict
our adversaries in tomorrow's meet are from one of the top schools in the league
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adversary
Dan Morse, Alex Horton, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Sep. 2022
At the same time, Trump's tirades against trade deals with nations like China played into a belief among many people that such pacts had hollowed out the American dream, while building middle classes lives for citizens of adversary nations.
—Stephen Collinson, CNN, 28 Sep. 2017
Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Some countries are urging a stronger UN America’s adversaries also have shunned the board.
—Edith M. Lederer, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Adjective
Such sensitive information, along with financial information and private messages, is helpful for adversary intelligence agencies to use as leverage for blackmail or coercion.
—Dan Morse, Alex Horton, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Sep. 2022
At the same time, Trump's tirades against trade deals with nations like China played into a belief among many people that such pacts had hollowed out the American dream, while building middle classes lives for citizens of adversary nations.
—Stephen Collinson, CNN, 28 Sep. 2017
Noun
Within the bankruptcy proceedings, Radiance Capital has filed an adversary action against Campbell to determine that Campbell cannot discharge the Radiance Capital judgment.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Some countries are urging a stronger UN America’s adversaries also have shunned the board.
—Edith M. Lederer, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary
Adjective
-
The hostile bid came as Nexstar Media Group agreed to acquire Tegna, in a $6 billion transaction that would run afoul of the FCC’s 39% ownership cap; Nexstar has filed for a waiver to the ownership cap.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The 31-year-old Puerto Rican singer’s celebration of Hispanic culture could hardly have arrived at a more hostile moment for Latinos.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Calling out corporate entities and concentration of power as enemies also appears to be a winning strategy for Democrats in their messaging tactics.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Liverpool were their own worst enemy as their hopes of Champions League qualification suffered another blow.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Dhakshineswar Suresh Ekambaram, a college tennis star at Wake Forest, leading India to a sensational 3-2 win over the Netherlands, taking the deciding rubber despite a 290-place rankings deficit to opponent Guy den Ouden.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In the weeks leading up to that election, Nanos reportedly placed his opponent Heather Lappin, a lieutenant at the Pima County Jail, on administrative leave, ordering her not to discuss the reasoning for his decision.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What is, perhaps, a surprise is seeing a long-term trend, particularly apparent on decadal timescales, that tends towards a brighter (more negative) visual magnitude.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The prior year featured consistently modest gains and several months of negative growth for payrolls.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Hungarian midfielder had looked set to bask in the glory of being Liverpool’s match-winner against old foes Manchester City at Anfield.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Joe Schoen is on the verge of handing a Super Bowl to back-to-back NFC foes if the Seattle Seahawks topple the New England Patriots Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The male cockroaches are territorial, defending females in their area and competing against encroaching rivals.—
Emma Gometz,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Officials say the goal is to stabilize Venezuela’s economy, reduce migration pressures and counter the influence of geopolitical rivals in Latin America.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
