adversary
UK/'ædvəsəri/US/'ædvәsәri/
C1
Definitions
n.
An opponent, enemy, or rival in a contest, conflict, or dispute.
对手；敌手；劲敌。
Root Breakdown
Native Englishad- (against) + vers (turned) + -ary (person) = one turned against you — an opponent. An adversary faces you across a conflict. The adjective adversarial describes a confrontational system, as in adversarial courts.
Root vers still carries 91 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.formidable adversary强劲的对手
- 2.political adversary政治对手
- 3.worthy adversary可敬的对手
Example Sentences
- 1.
She faced a formidable adversary in the final round.
- 2.
The two nations have long been adversaries.
- 3.
He respected his adversary's skill.
Synonym Comparison
- adversary — formal: an opponent in conflict or contest
- enemy — strongest, implies hostility and harm
- opponent — neutral, the other side in a game/debate
- rival — competes for the same goal, not necessarily hostile
- foe — literary/old-fashioned for enemy