Meaning & use

adversary

noun·Academic

A person or group that opposes or competes against another; an opponent or enemy.

See it in a sentence

The two chess grandmasters had been fierce adversaries for over a decade.

The senator's political adversaries criticized her plan before it was even announced.

A note on using this word

Slightly more formal than enemy and often used for competitive or legal rather than violent conflict.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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