adversary

[ ad-ver-ser-ee ]
/ ˈæd vərˌsɛr i /

noun, plural ad·ver·sar·ies.

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

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM adversary

ad·ver·sar·i·ness, noun non·ad·ver·sar·i·al, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for adversarial

British Dictionary definitions for adversarial (1 of 2)

adversarial
/ (ˌædvɜːˈsɛərɪəl) /

adjective

pertaining to or characterized by antagonism and conflict
British having or involving opposing parties or interests in a legal contest US term: adversary

British Dictionary definitions for adversarial (2 of 2)

adversary
/ (ˈædvəsərɪ) /

noun plural -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