a person, group, or force that opposes or attacks; opponent; enemy; foe.
a person, group, etc., that is an opponent in a contest; contestant.
the Adversary,the devil; Satan.
adjective Also especially British, ad·ver·sar·i·al[ad-ver-sair-ee-uhl]. /ˌæd vərˈsɛər i əl/.
of or relating to an adversary.
involving adversaries, as plaintiff and defendant in a legal proceeding: an adversary trial.
Origin of adversary
1300–50; Middle English adversarie<Latin adversārius, equivalent to advers(us) (see adverse) + -ārius-ary; replacing Middle English adversere<Anglo-French
ANTONYMS FOR adversary
1 ally.
SEE ANTONYMS FOR adversary ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for adversary
1. Adversary,antagonist mean a person or a group contending against another. Adversary suggests an enemy who fights determinedly, continuously, and relentlessly: a formidable adversary.Antagonist suggests one who, in hostile spirit, opposes another, often in a particular contest or struggle: a duel with an antagonist.
Perhaps because it had been passed down by leaders who understood the significance of engaging the adversary in their own language, the phrase stuck.
How ‘A Luta Continua’ Became the Rallying Slogan for African Revolutions|Eromo Egbejule|October 9, 2020|Ozy
It would “be a major challenge for an adversary” to forge or change enough ballots to shift the outcome of the election, he told the Senate Homeland Security Committee last week.
Five key science takeaways from the first presidential debate|Purbita Saha|September 30, 2020|Popular Science
Back then, Kolfage told Fox 10 Phoenix that he felt he needed to take legal action after adversaries started going after his family and tried to ruin the career of his wife, who was a teacher and a model.
Veteran, War Hero, Defendant, Troll|by Jeremy Schwartz and Perla Trevizo|September 29, 2020|ProPublica
In particular, I was helping them to try and understand how the adversaries in Afghanistan and Pakistan were financing themselves.
When Your Safety Becomes My Danger (Ep. 432)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 24, 2020|Freakonomics
We know our adversaries around the world are pursuing their own advances.
U.S. vies for leadership in quantum and A.I. with $1 billion bet|rhhackettfortune|August 26, 2020|Fortune
In spite of the many disagreeements, the Obama administration, he said, does not view Russia as “an adversary.”
It’s Finally Time for the West to Stand Up to Putin|James Kirchick|July 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All the Americans, from FDR down, underestimated the capabilities of their adversary, and exaggerated their own.
D-Day Was The Largest And One Of The Bloodiest Invasions In History|James A. Warren|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The al Qaeda prisoners we held at CIA facilities helped us understand the adversary.
Never Forget? The CIA Report and the Problem With Hindsight|Philip Mudd|March 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before you go forward to talk about the future,” he says, “you must understand where your adversary comes from.
Jaffa: A Tale Of Two Lands|Lauren Gelfond Feldinger|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our legal system is an adversary system, predicated upon legal advocacy for both sides.
Republicans Attack Obama DOJ Nominee Who Defended a ‘Cop-Killer’|David Freedlander|February 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With shining eyes, Crochard dropped on one knee beside his adversary, and bent for a moment above the body.
The Destroyer|Burton Egbert Stevenson
Mayo closed in, got Bradish's right hand in a grip, and doubled the arm behind his adversary's back.
Blow The Man Down|Holman Day
He leaned over his adversary in greater remorse and pity than he would have readily confessed to himself.
The Disowned, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Metternich saw his advantage: his adversary had lost his temper and forgotten his dignity.
The Life of Napoleon I (Volumes, 1 and 2)|John Holland Rose
If a duellist is killed, his adversary must stand by the body till the police arrive, and deliver himself up to them.
The Modern Pistol and How to Shoot It|Walter Winans
British Dictionary definitions for adversary
adversary
/ (ˈædvəsərɪ) /
nounplural-saries
a person or group that is hostile to someone; enemy
an opposing contestant in a game or sport
adjective
the US term for adversarial (def. 2)
Word Origin for adversary
C14: from Latin adversārius, from adversus against. See adverse