adversary

/ˌædvərˈsɛri/

/ˈædvəsɛri/

Other forms: adversaries

An adversary is an enemy or someone who opposes someone else. In tennis, you stand across the net from your adversary.

Adversary is related to the word adverse, meaning "against or contrary" — so think of an adversary as someone whom you are fighting against. If you're the undefeated chess champion, you have bested every single one of your adversaries. Adversary is derived from a Latin word meaning "against."

Definitions of adversary

1. noun

   someone who offers opposition
   synonyms: antagonist, opponent, opposer, resister

   examples:

   Antichrist

   (Christianity) the adversary of Christ (or Christianity) mentioned in the New Testament; the Antichrist will rule the world until overthrown by the Second Coming of Christ

   types:

   dueler, duelist, dueller, duellist

   a person who fights duels

   enemy, foe, foeman, opposition

   an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)

   Luddite

   any opponent of technological progress

   withstander

   an opponent who resists with force or resolution

   besieger

   an enemy who lays siege to your position

   type of:

   individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul

   a human being