Your adversary is someone you are competing with, or arguing or fighting against.
Elliott crossed the finish line just half a second behind his adversary.
His political adversaries were creating a certain amount of trouble for him.
Synonyms: opponent, rival, opposer, enemy More Synonyms of adversary
adversary in British English
(ˈædvəsərɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-saries
1.
a person or group that is hostile to someone; enemy
2.
an opposing contestant in a game or sport
adjective
3. the US term for adversarial (sense 2)
Word origin
C14: from Latin adversārius, from adversus against. See adverse
adversary in American English
(ˈædvərˌsɛri)
nounWord forms: pluralˈadverˌsaries
1.
a person who opposes or fights against another; opponent; enemy
adjective
2.
of or characterized by opposing parties, as the plaintiff and defendant in a lawsuit
SIMILAR WORDS: opˈponent
Idioms:
the Adversary
Word origin
ME < OFr adversarie < L adversarius < adversus, adverse
Examples of 'adversary' in a sentence
adversary
She was viewed as a formidable adversary and a staunch defender of the underprivileged.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I saw some of the old adversaries in Liverpool this week.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Does this mean a new nuclear arms race between the former Cold War adversaries?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He once said that his message to potential adversaries was:'I come in peace.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The adversary minded to give it a pop may prove more formidable than the adversary paralysed by wanting it too much.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He was a truly worthy adversary.
The Sun (2014)
He endured a bruising scandal when an official he appointed acknowledged inflicting traffic chaos on a town run by a political adversary.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
And the Arsenal boss would not be surprised if his old adversary made a return to management.
The Sun (2013)
She would prove herself a formidable adversary for Elizabeth.
Jane Dunn ELIZABETH AND MARY: Cousins, Rivals, Queens (2003)
Lily beetle is a formidable adversary, chomping through leaves and stems.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Admittedly he's got some big hitters to come back into the team to face the old adversaries.
The Sun (2013)
The pygmy elephant is the smallest of its family, but it still makes for a formidable adversary.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I was conditioned to see deacons and other leaders as potential adversaries.
Christianity Today (2000)
He thinks voters like the new era of co-operation between former adversaries and want the coalition to be a success.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Bunker is a worthy adversary.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Yet the real problem we face is not that our adversaries are so formidable, but that we fail to use our own existing strengths.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
After all, anything that can survive an army of pushy mothers must truly be exceptional, and a worthy adversary to boot.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
These attitudes should be of great concern; for to be effective, deterrence must not only be credible to our potential adversary but reassuring to our own people.
Abshire, David M. Preventing World War III - A Realistic Grand Strategy (1988)
In other languages
adversary
British English: adversary /ˈædvəsərɪ/ NOUN
Your adversary is someone you are competing with or fighting against.
...political adversaries.
American English: adversary
Arabic: خَصْم
Brazilian Portuguese: adversário
Chinese: 敌手
Croatian: protivnik
Czech: protivník
Danish: modstander
Dutch: tegenstander
European Spanish: adversario
Finnish: vastustaja
French: adversaire
German: Gegner
Greek: αντίπαλος
Italian: avversario
Japanese: 敵対者
Korean: 적수
Norwegian: motstander
Polish: przeciwnik
European Portuguese: adversário
Romanian: adversar
Russian: противник
Latin American Spanish: adversario
Swedish: motståndare
Thai: คู่ต่อสู้
Turkish: rakip
Ukrainian: супротивник
Vietnamese: đối thủ
Chinese translation of 'adversary'
adversary
(ˈædvəsərɪ)
n(c)
对(對)手 (duìshǒu) (个(個), gè)
(noun)
Definition
an opponent in a fight, disagreement, or sporting contest
His political adversaries were creating trouble for him.
Synonyms
opponent
Mrs Kennedy's opponent in the leadership contest
rival
He finished two seconds ahead of his rival.
opposer
enemy
His enemies were quick to take advantage of his weakness.
competitor
The bank isn't performing as well as some of its competitors.
foe (formal, literary)
support any friend, oppose any foe
contestant
antagonist
He had never previously lost to his antagonist.
Opposites
friend
,
partner
, ally,
colleague
, associate,
supporter
,
helper
,
collaborator
,
accomplice
, confederate,
co-worker
,
main man (slang, mainly US)
,
cobber (Australian, New Zealand, old-fashioned, informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of antagonist
Definition
an opponent or adversary
He had never previously lost to his antagonist.
Synonyms
opponent,
rival,
opposer,
enemy,
competitor,
contender,
foe (formal, literary),
adversary
in the sense of competitor
Definition
a person, team, or firm that competes
The bank isn't performing as well as some of its competitors.
Synonyms
rival,
competition,
opposition,
adversary,
antagonist,
emulator
in the sense of enemy
Definition
a person who is hostile or opposed to a person, group, or idea
His enemies were quick to take advantage of his weakness.