Adversary
noun
A person, group, or thing that opposes or attacks; enemy; rival.
The team will face tough adversaries in the next round of the tournament.
Often appears as...
- face an adversary
- defeat an adversary
noun
A person or group that disputes or argues against something; a challenger.
In a court of law, the defendant's adversaries are the prosecutor and the plaintiff.
Often appears as...
- legal adversary
- adversary system
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A person, group, or thing that opposes or attacks; enemy; rival.
The team will face tough adversaries in the next round of the tournament.
Often appears as...
- face an adversary
- defeat an adversary
noun
A person or group that disputes or argues against something; a challenger.
In a court of law, the defendant's adversaries are the prosecutor and the plaintiff.
Often appears as...
- legal adversary
- adversary system
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Beyond Enemies
Adversary can refer to a competitor in sports, politics, or business, not just enemies.
Even after the match, he respected his adversary for a well-played game.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
The term doesn't always carry a hostile connotation; it can imply a healthy rivalry.
As chess adversaries, they pushed each other to improve.
Pro Tip 3/3Impersonal Adversaries
Adversary can also be a challenge or obstacle, not just a person or a group.
She considered her fear of heights an adversary to overcome.
Pro Tip 1/3Beyond Enemies
Adversary can refer to a competitor in sports, politics, or business, not just enemies.
Even after the match, he respected his adversary for a well-played game.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
The term doesn't always carry a hostile connotation; it can imply a healthy rivalry.
As chess adversaries, they pushed each other to improve.
Pro Tip 3/3Impersonal Adversaries
Adversary can also be a challenge or obstacle, not just a person or a group.
She considered her fear of heights an adversary to overcome.
Pro Tip 1/3Beyond Enemies
Adversary can refer to a competitor in sports, politics, or business, not just enemies.
Even after the match, he respected his adversary for a well-played game.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
The term doesn't always carry a hostile connotation; it can imply a healthy rivalry.
As chess adversaries, they pushed each other to improve.
Pro Tip 3/3Impersonal Adversaries
Adversary can also be a challenge or obstacle, not just a person or a group.
She considered her fear of heights an adversary to overcome.
Never forget "Adversary"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
How to outsmart the...
will impact those of their adversaries tomorrow. Selfishness may win out in the short-term, but with the proper incentives, peaceful cooperation is not only possible, but demonstrably and mathematically ideal. As for the gingerbread men, their eternity may be pretty crumby, but so long as they go out on a limb,
Video examples
Richard Ledgett: The NSA...
I think there were a number of other ways that he could have done that that would have not endangered our people and the people of other nations through losing visibility into what our adversaries are doing. But I do think it's an important conversation. It's been reported that there's
Video examples
Samantha Power: Shaking...
would black-box what had occurred prior to entering the room. But by the end of his life, I think he had struck a balance that we as a country can learn from. Be in the room, don't be afraid of talking to your adversaries, but don't bracket what happened before you entered the room.
Video examples
What it takes to be a...
in anticipating and navigating his political, social and economic context. I also met a number of nonprofit leaders who, despite very limited financial resources, were making a huge impact in the world, often bringing together seeming adversaries.
Video examples
How we take back the...
because the power of individuals have also been increased by technology. I am living proof that an individual can go head to head against the most powerful adversaries and the most powerful intelligence agencies around the world and win,
Video examples
Building the USS Ronald...
combat airport is back out at sea and when it's prowling the oceans adversaries will have to take notice of this ultimate weapon for years to come this super carrier will send a message to the world the same message delivered
Video examples
What happens when our...
B, why haven't the chimpanzees flicked the off switch to humanity, or the Neanderthals? They certainly had reasons. We have an off switch, for example, right here. The reason is that we are an intelligent adversary;
Video examples
Adorable Lion Moments PIPE...
eternal adversaries and still the hyena lives and I'd love to be able to tell you that the reason for a lion attacking a hyena is simply to defend his meal but you know what truth is y is a pretty
Video examples
Hair-Raising Hyena...
eternal adversaries and still the hyena lives and i'd love to be able to tell you that the reason for her lion attacking a hyena is simply to defend its meal but you know what truth is
Video examples
Controlling time through...
time for me has always been an adversary my life has been about defiant I'm in my work and in my life have sinned
Video examples
How to outsmart the...
will impact those of their adversaries tomorrow. Selfishness may win out in the short-term, but with the proper incentives, peaceful cooperation is not only possible, but demonstrably and mathematically ideal. As for the gingerbread men, their eternity may be pretty crumby, but so long as they go out on a limb,
Video examples
Richard Ledgett: The NSA...
I think there were a number of other ways that he could have done that that would have not endangered our people and the people of other nations through losing visibility into what our adversaries are doing. But I do think it's an important conversation. It's been reported that there's
Video examples
Samantha Power: Shaking...
would black-box what had occurred prior to entering the room. But by the end of his life, I think he had struck a balance that we as a country can learn from. Be in the room, don't be afraid of talking to your adversaries, but don't bracket what happened before you entered the room.
Video examples
What it takes to be a...
in anticipating and navigating his political, social and economic context. I also met a number of nonprofit leaders who, despite very limited financial resources, were making a huge impact in the world, often bringing together seeming adversaries.
Video examples
How we take back the...
because the power of individuals have also been increased by technology. I am living proof that an individual can go head to head against the most powerful adversaries and the most powerful intelligence agencies around the world and win,
Video examples
Building the USS Ronald...
combat airport is back out at sea and when it's prowling the oceans adversaries will have to take notice of this ultimate weapon for years to come this super carrier will send a message to the world the same message delivered
Video examples
What happens when our...
B, why haven't the chimpanzees flicked the off switch to humanity, or the Neanderthals? They certainly had reasons. We have an off switch, for example, right here. The reason is that we are an intelligent adversary;
Video examples
Adorable Lion Moments PIPE...
eternal adversaries and still the hyena lives and I'd love to be able to tell you that the reason for a lion attacking a hyena is simply to defend his meal but you know what truth is y is a pretty
Video examples
Hair-Raising Hyena...
eternal adversaries and still the hyena lives and i'd love to be able to tell you that the reason for her lion attacking a hyena is simply to defend its meal but you know what truth is
Video examples
Controlling time through...
time for me has always been an adversary my life has been about defiant I'm in my work and in my life have sinned
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Tom Frieden
American Public Servant
Over and over, nature shows that it's a really tough adversary. That's why it's important that we invest in laboratories, disease detectives, research, mosquito control, the public health system around the world to find, stop, track, prevent health threats.
Quote examples
Ronald Reagan
American President
Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have.
Quote examples
George Michael
British Musician
The fact I had my father as an adversary was such a powerful tool to work with. I subconsciously fought him to the degree that I drove me to be one of the most successful musician in the world.
Quote examples
Greg Rucka
American Writer
Every character needs an adversary - one who is both challenging and a contrast for the hero. The best adversaries reveal something about the character they're contrasting.
Quote examples
Ezra Taft Benson
American Leader
The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others.
Quote examples
Joe Kennedy III
American Politician
Your ally today could be your adversary tomorrow and your ally the next day. Work hard, be polite, be respectful, and don't take it personally.
Quote examples
Gerald R. Ford
American President
I have had a lot of adversaries in my political life, but no enemies that I can remember.
Quote examples
Samuel Johnson
English Writer
Treating your adversary with respect is striking soft in battle.
Quote examples
Henry Wotton
English Author
Tell the truth so as to puzzle and confound your adversaries.
Quote examples
Francois Hollande
French Statesman
My adversary is the world of finance.
Quote examples
Tom Frieden
American Public Servant
Over and over, nature shows that it's a really tough adversary. That's why it's important that we invest in laboratories, disease detectives, research, mosquito control, the public health system around the world to find, stop, track, prevent health threats.
Quote examples
Ronald Reagan
American President
Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have.
Quote examples
George Michael
British Musician
The fact I had my father as an adversary was such a powerful tool to work with. I subconsciously fought him to the degree that I drove me to be one of the most successful musician in the world.
Quote examples
Greg Rucka
American Writer
Every character needs an adversary - one who is both challenging and a contrast for the hero. The best adversaries reveal something about the character they're contrasting.
Quote examples
Ezra Taft Benson
American Leader
The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others.
Quote examples
Joe Kennedy III
American Politician
Your ally today could be your adversary tomorrow and your ally the next day. Work hard, be polite, be respectful, and don't take it personally.
Quote examples
Gerald R. Ford
American President
I have had a lot of adversaries in my political life, but no enemies that I can remember.
Quote examples
Samuel Johnson
English Writer
Treating your adversary with respect is striking soft in battle.
Quote examples
Henry Wotton
English Author
Tell the truth so as to puzzle and confound your adversaries.
Quote examples
Francois Hollande
French Statesman
My adversary is the world of finance.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension