adversary
gb/ˈædvɚsˌɛɹi/ us/ˈædvɚsˌɛɹi/
C1
Anglais
~ 27000
Sens
0 sens
Nom
formal
C1
entity
1
opponent in conflict or competition
A person or group you fight, compete, or argue against.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone]'s adversary in [a conflict or competition]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often use "enemy" when "opponent" or "adversary" would be better. "Enemy" can sound too strong in neutral contexts like sports or business. Also, learners sometimes confuse the noun "adversary" with the adjective "adversarial" (e.g., saying *"he is my adversarial"* instead of "he is my adversary" or "our relationship is adversarial"). Finally, "adversary" is more formal than "opponent" and is less common in casual speech.
Synonymes
opponent (More common in everyday language and especially in sports or debates; slightly less formal than "adversary".)
|
enemy (Suggests stronger hatred or hostility, often in war or deep personal conflict.)
|
rival (Focuses on competition, especially for the same goal or position, and may be less hostile than "adversary".)
Antonymes
ally (An ally supports you in a conflict instead of opposing you.)
|
friend (A friend is someone on your side in life, not someone who stands against you.)
Collocations
worthy adversary
|formidable adversary
|political adversary
|common adversary
|face an adversary
|defeat an adversary
Thèmes
conflict
|sports
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- In the final match, her toughest adversary turned out to be her former teammate.
- The company sees the new startup as a serious adversary in the market.
- The two political adversaries shook hands after the debate.
- Cybersecurity experts warn that their most dangerous adversary is often invisible.
- The hero finally confronted his long-time adversary on the battlefield.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He lost the game to a strong adversary.
- The two leaders were adversaries during the war.
- In court, her adversary tried to show she was lying.
- The team watched video to learn about their adversary.
- They joined forces to fight a common adversary.
Nom
literary
C2
entity
2
the Devil or Satan (religious)
In some religions, another name for the Devil or Satan, seen as the great enemy of God and good things.
Schéma d’usage :
the Adversary
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may not realize that this sense is usually written with a capital "A" ("the Adversary") and used mainly in religious or literary writing. They may also confuse this special religious meaning with the general meaning of "adversary" as any opponent.
Synonymes
Satan (A proper name used mainly in Christian and related religious texts; essentially the same figure as "the Adversary" in this sense.)
|
the Devil (The most common English term for this figure in general religious and cultural contexts.)
Antonymes
God (In many religious views, God represents ultimate good, making God the direct opposite of the Adversary.)
Collocations
the Adversary
|resist the Adversary
|tempted by the Adversary
|defeat the Adversary
Thèmes
religion
|mythology
Exemples
- In the sermon, the pastor warned the congregation to resist the Adversary.
- The novel portrays the Adversary as a charming figure who leads people away from the truth.
- Some theologians debate how literally we should understand the Adversary in these ancient texts.
Exemples pédagogiques
- In this story, the Adversary tries to lead people away from God.
- The priest told them to pray for strength against the Adversary.
- In some poems, the Adversary speaks to people and tempts them.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
adversary
API
GB/ˈædvɚsˌɛɹi/
US/ˈædvɚsˌɛɹi/
Syllabes et accentuation
ad - versary (2 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (ad)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: adversary
- Plural: adversaries
Famille de mots
Forms
adversaries
noun
Core family
adversarial
adjective C1
Negative and opposite forms
non-adversarial
adjective
Advanced or less common
adversarially
adverb
Expressions
adversary system
1/ˈædvɚsˌɛɹi sˈɪstəm/
fixed phrase
technical
legal system with opposing sides
A type of legal system where two sides fight their case against each other in front of a judge or jury.
Exemples
- Many English-speaking countries use an adversary system, where lawyers for each side argue their case.
- Critics say the adversary system can make trials feel like a game to win, rather than a search for truth.
know your adversary
1/nˈoʊ jˈʊɹ ˈædvɚsˌɛɹi/
fixed phrase
study and understand your opponent
To learn and understand as much as you can about the person or group you are fighting or competing against.
Exemples
- Good lawyers always say you must know your adversary before you go to court.
- To win the campaign, the candidate spent months trying to know her adversary and his strategies.