ADVERSARY Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

adversary 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of adversary

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adversary

2 of 2

noun

ˈad-vər-ˌser-ē

as in enemy

one that is hostile toward another our old cat seemed to consider the new kitten an adversary

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

Adjective

Yet distillation has been controversial when used by third parties — particularly in adversary nations like China or Russia — to replicate proprietary work without authorization. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026 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

Noun

The drone in question was powered by a Nvidia minicomputer not sold in Russia but available through resale markets, highlighting the difficulties in denying tech to US adversaries. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026 At dawn begins an economic D-Day — the single greatest financial offensive ever marshaled against an adversary. — Richard Escobedo, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adversary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversary

Adjective

Forecasters said the system is expected to be short-lived because of hostile environmental conditions starting on Friday that will prevent it from developing further.

— Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Electronic warfare systems such as NGJ-MB are carried by aircraft and use advanced electronics to interfere with or counter hostile electromagnetic systems.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of hostile

Noun

Blanche’s immediate predecessor, Pam Bondi, was ousted in April after failing to deliver successful prosecutions against the president’s political enemies.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Rather than law enforcement authorities like the Coast Guard having to seize a vessel under civil seizure laws, the Department of Defense, usually through military force, can seize an enemy vessel instead.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of enemy

Adjective

Arjun Bhatia, an analyst at William Blair who recommends buying Salesforce shares, said investors who turned negative on cloud software companies or eliminated their exposure altogether due to AI concerns, are starting to come back.

— Jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Much like Big Tobacco was forced to admit that cigarettes can cause cancer or Purdue Pharma was forced to stop downplaying the risks of OxyContin, this agreement now puts Meta’s core products in a negative light.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of negative

Noun

Only five of their 2026 opponents had winning records last season, and their nine league opponents combined for a 28-53 record against Big Ten foes.

— Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
But this season, their division foes haven’t gotten any easier, and the rest of the league is out to test whether quarterback Sam Darnold can maintain last season’s star-worthy production.

— NBC Sports, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of foe

Noun

Games against the division rival Sabres and Canadiens also will be televised nationally.

— Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Anthropic’s primary tech industry rival, ChatGPT maker OpenAI, made its own deal to work with the Pentagon just hours after the government punished Anthropic for its stance.

— Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rival

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adversaries

adversary

adverse

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Style

“Adversary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversary. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of adversary

adjective

noun

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