Adversary — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈad-vər-ˌser-ē/ ad·ver·sary

Meaning & Definition of Adversary

Adversary (noun)

  1. one that contends with, opposes, or resists, an enemy or opponent

Adversary (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or involving an enemy or adversary
  2. having or involving antagonistic parties or opposing interests

Adversary (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. marked by opposition or ill will

    "there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations"

    similar: adversarial, antagonistic, antipathetic, hostile, inhospitable, inimical, jaundiced, mortal, negative, unfriendly, unsympathetic
    related: adverse, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, clashing, combative, conflicting, contentious, contrary, disputatious, militant, opposed, pugnacious, quarrelsome, resisting, scrappy, truculent, antisocial, cold, cool, disagreeable, disapproving, distant, frigid, icy, biased, prejudiced, discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, surly, uncivil, unfavorable, unkind, unmannerly, unpleasant, unsociable, acrimonious, bitter, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, opprobrious, rancorous, spiteful, unloving, vindictive, virulent
    opposite: friendly, hospitable, nonantagonistic, nonhostile, sympathetic
    near: affable, amiable, amicable, civil, companionable, comradely, convivial, cordial, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, gregarious, neighborly, pleasant, sociable, social, warm, affectionate, devoted, kind, kindly, loving, nice, sweet, accepting, agreeable, approving, benign, empathetic, favorable, understanding, warmhearted, welcoming

Adversary (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one that is hostile toward another

    "our old cat seemed to consider the new kitten an adversary"

    similar: antagonist, enemy, foe, hostile, opponent
    related: archenemy, archfoe, nemesis, ill-wisher, bane, bête noire, assailant, attacker, combatant, invader, competitor, emulator, rival
    opposite: amigo, friend
    near: buddy, chum, compadre, crony, fellow, hail-fellow, hail-fellow-well-met, hearty, hobnobber, mate, musketeer, pal, abettor, accomplice, ally, collaborator, colleague, comrade, confederate, friendly, partner, adherent, disciple, follower, backer, benefactor, exponent, supporter, sympathizer, well-wisher

  2. 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"

    similar: antagonist, foe, opponent, rival
    related: equal, match, enemy, archenemy, nemesis, competitor, contestant, bane, bête noire, curse, assailant, attacker, combatant, invader
    near: accomplice, ally, confederate, partner, advocate, champion, exponent, proponent, supporter, sympathizer

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Adversary

The most common words with a similar meaning to Adversary:

adversarial, antagonistic, antipathetic, hostile, inhospitable, inimical, jaundiced, mortal, negative, unfriendly, unsympathetic, antagonist, enemy, foe, opponent, rival

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Adversary

Words with the opposite meaning of Adversary:

friendly, hospitable, nonantagonistic, nonhostile, sympathetic, amigo, friend

Related Words for Adversary

adverse, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, clashing, combative, conflicting, contentious, contrary, disputatious, militant, opposed, pugnacious, quarrelsome, resisting, scrappy, truculent, antisocial, cold, cool, disagreeable, disapproving, distant, frigid, icy, biased, prejudiced, discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered

Near Antonyms of Adversary

affable, amiable, amicable, civil, companionable, comradely, convivial, cordial, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, gregarious, neighborly, pleasant, sociable, social, warm, affectionate, devoted, kind, kindly, loving, nice, sweet, accepting, agreeable, approving, benign, empathetic

Word Forms of Adversary

Inflections: adversaries

Derived words: adversariness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Adversary

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Middle English adversaire, adversarie, borrowed from Anglo-French adverser, adverserie, borrowed from Latin adversārius, noun derivative from adversārius "opposed (to), inimical, adverse," from adversus "turned toward, facing" + -ārius -ary:2 adverse

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Adversary

Frequently Asked Questions about Adversary

What does "Adversary" mean?

"Adversary" means one that contends with, opposes, or resists, an enemy or opponent. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: one that contends with, opposes, or resists, an enemy or opponent. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Adversary"?

Other words for "Adversary" include adversarial, antagonistic, antipathetic, hostile, inhospitable, inimical, jaundiced and mortal. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Adversary" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Adversary"?

There are 87 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Adversary". Common alternatives include adversarial, antagonistic, antipathetic, hostile, inhospitable, inimical, jaundiced, mortal, negative and unfriendly.

What is the opposite of "Adversary"?

Antonyms of "Adversary" include friendly, hospitable, nonantagonistic, nonhostile, sympathetic, amigo and friend. Near antonyms include affable, amiable, amicable and civil.

How do you use "Adversary" in a sentence?

Examples of "Adversary" in a sentence: "there was a long history of adversary dealings between the two nations"; "our old cat seemed to consider the new kitten an adversary"; "our adversaries in tomorrow's meet are from one of the top schools in the league".

Is "Adversary" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Adversary" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Adversary" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Adversary" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Adversary"?

"Adversary" is pronounced /ˈad-vər-ˌser-ē/ and divided into syllables as ad·ver·sary.