adversary

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'adversary' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an opponent or rival in a competition, conflict, or dispute. Example sentence: The experienced sports team was confident, despite facing a formidable adversary.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Today they [my opponents] are celebrating because they have managed to bring an adversary – an enemy – before the executioner's squad.

The Guardian

From the early 1990s, the public literature of US defence policy shows, strategic and military planners foresaw a world in which the United States had no significant state adversary.

The Guardian - Tech

The traditional response to the announcement of a female adversary leads the forums to wildly speculate: "Could she really be the Rani?" as if bringing back a twice-used 80s panto villain played by Kate O'Mara would be high up Steven Moffat's to-do list.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The bulb-headed supervillain with low self-esteem in Megamind proves braver than his superhero adversary.

The Guardian - Film

But now Mohamed Aboutrika, one of Egypt's greatest footballers of all time, is battling an adversary far more formidable than even the best international defence as he faces down a government freeze on his assets over allegations that a company he co-founded aided the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Guardian

Pica said that his old adversary "had a charmed political life and you can never count a guy like O'Malley out".

The Guardian

As Russia squared up to the west over its antics in Ukraine, several central European states expressed opposition to the sanctions the EU slapped on its big eastern adversary.

The Guardian

"In 36 years in the United States Senate, I cannot recall another instance in which senators wrote directly to advise another country – much less a longtime foreign adversary – that the president does not have the constitutional authority to reach a meaningful understanding with them," Biden wrote.

The Guardian

Taking a job as judge on the show would mean an 11-hour, twice-weekly commute – as both Cowell and Cole will stay as judges on the UK version – but Cowell believes the journey is worth it to make sure The X Factor format that he owns triumphs over American Idol, which was devised by British friend and adversary Simon Fuller.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The former Maryland governor Martin O'Malley, who has spent more time than any other Democrat in Iowa in recent months – and is viewed by some as Clinton's most likely adversary for the nomination – has a current polling average in the state of 0.3%.

The Guardian

He said Nato was pushing ahead with plans for a very high readiness joint taskforce, "in order to convince Russia, or any other state adversary, that any attack on one Nato member will inevitably lead them into a conflict with the whole alliance".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation of "adversary", which often implies a more significant or formidable opponent than a simple "opponent" or "rival".

Common error

Avoid using "adversary" for minor disagreements or casual competitions; reserve it for situations involving genuine conflict or significant opposition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adversary" is as a noun, referring to a person, group, or entity that opposes or competes with another. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in various contexts, as demonstrated by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adversary" is a commonly used noun that denotes an opponent or rival, often in situations involving significant conflict or competition. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage across numerous contexts, primarily in news and media and formal business settings. While grammatically straightforward, it's important to consider the connotation of "adversary", reserving it for genuine and substantial opposition. Alternative terms like "opponent", "rival", and "antagonist" can offer varying shades of meaning depending on the specific context. Using "adversary" correctly enhances the clarity and impact of your writing, especially when describing challenging or opposing forces.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opponent

A general term for someone who opposes another in a contest or dispute.

rival

Someone who competes with another for the same objective or superiority.

antagonist

A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something.

challenger

Someone who disputes or contests something; also, a competitor.

competitor

A person or organization that competes against others in a particular activity.

enemy

A person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.

foe

A more formal or literary term for an enemy.

opposition

A group or body of people opposing something.

contender

A person or team competing for a title or position.

opposer

Someone who expresses opposition to something.

FAQs

How can I use "adversary" in a sentence?

You can use "adversary" to describe an opponent in a competition, a rival in business, or an enemy in a conflict. For example, "The company considered its main competitor a formidable "adversary"".

What's the difference between "adversary" and "opponent"?

"Adversary" suggests a more intense and sustained opposition than "opponent". An "adversary" is often seen as a more serious threat or challenge.

Are there any formal synonyms for "adversary"?

Yes, more formal synonyms include "antagonist" and "foe". These terms can be suitable in academic or literary contexts.

When should I not use the word "adversary"?

Avoid using "adversary" in informal settings or when describing minor disagreements. It's best reserved for situations where there's significant conflict or opposition.