noun

adversary

opponent, enemy, rival

He faced his old adversary in the final match.

He faced his old adversary in the final match.

The two politicians were long-time adversaries.

The two politicians were long-time adversaries.

((sb.'s)) adversary someone's opponent He faced his old adversary in the final match.

Synonyms: opponent, rival, foe; Antonyms: ally, friend, supporter

From Latin 'adversus' meaning 'turned against'. 'ad-' (to, against) + 'vertere' (to turn).

Think of the word 'versus' (vs.), which means 'against'. An ad-VERS-ary is someone you are 'versus'.

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