Synonyms for adversary
Most common
All synonyms
Noun
Definitions
- n. 1
A person, group, or thing that opposes or attacks another person or group; an opponent or rival.
He prepared to fight his adversary.
Forms
- Plural
- adversaries → opponents, foes, antagonists, enemies…
Example sentences
- enemy He betrayed us by telling the enemy where we were.
- opponent I have underestimated the strength of my opponent.
- foe Lend your friend money. Borrow money from your foe.
- antagonist The antagonist of the book was introduced on the second page.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| adversary | steady | |
| enemy | steady | |
| opponent | rising | |
| foe | steady | |
| antagonist | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- foe1
- 5 letters
- enemy3, rival2
- 7 letters
- villain2, opposer
- 8 letters
- opponent3, resistor3
- 9 letters
- assailant3
- 10 letters
- competitor4, challenger3, antagonist4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (enemy3 = 3 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- adversaire
- Italiano
- avversario
- Español
- adversario
- Deutsch
- Gegner
- Català
- adversari