Adversary
/ˈædvərˌsɛri/
nounB2
Definition
An adversary means someone who opposes you or competes against you. This word is often used in situations like sports, arguments, or battles where two sides are in conflict or competition. It shows a relationship of opposition or challenge.
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⚡ See It in Action
A person, group, or team that opposes or fights against another
- •The boxer prepared carefully to defeat his adversary in the ring.
- •In chess, your adversary tries to checkmate your king.
- •Political candidates see each other as adversaries during elections.
A thing or situation that causes problems or opposition
- •Poverty can be an adversary to education and progress.
- •The harsh weather was an adversary during the mountain climb.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "adversary" like "enemy" (A1 word), but it can be less strong and used for any opponent, not only in war or hate
- ✓Picture two players on opposite teams in a game, each trying to win against the other
- ✓It's the feeling of facing a challenge or opponent that you must try to overcome
- ✓Sounds like "ADD-versary" → imagine adding a "versus" (against) situation, like two sides competing
- ✓Think of famous stories like heroes facing their adversaries in a contest or battle
- ✓NOT like "friend" (someone who helps you), adversary is someone who works against you
- ✓NOT like "stranger" (unknown person), adversary is known as an opponent or rival
- ✓NOT like "ally" (partner), adversary is the opposite side in a conflict
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Opponent: a person or team you compete against (Use in sports or competitions)
- •Rival: a person or group competing for the same goal (Use when competition is ongoing or personal)
- •Foe: an enemy or opponent, often in war or conflict (Use in strong or serious conflicts)
- •Competitor: someone who tries to win against others (Use in business or sports contexts)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ad-" (toward) + "vers-" (turn, from Latin "vertere") + "-ary" (noun suffix)
- •Etymology: From Latin "adversarius," meaning "opponent" or "enemy"
- •Historical development: Used since the 1400s in English to mean someone who stands against or opposes
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in formal speech, writing, sports, law, and literature to describe an opponent or competitor
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can someone be your adversary in one situation but your friend in another? How does that change the meaning?
•How does knowing the word "adversary" help you understand stories or news about conflicts or competitions?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.In the game, the player studied his adversary’s ___ to find a way to win.
2.When facing an adversary, it is important to stay calm and ___ a good plan.
3.Unlike a friend, an adversary usually ___ against your goals or ideas.
4.The lawyer saw the other side as an adversary and prepared for ___.
5.Sometimes, an adversary is not a person but a ___ or problem that blocks success.
6.In sports, your adversary is the team you ___ against on the field.
7.The hero’s adversary in the story was clever and ___ to defeat.