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Adversaries: meaning, definitions and examples

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adversaries

 

[ˈædvərsəriz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

in conflict

Adversaries are people, groups, or countries that oppose each other and compete in a conflict or battle. They are usually seen as opponents or enemies in a competitive or hostile situation.

Synonyms

competitors, enemies, opponents, rivals.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
adversaries

Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe individuals or groups that are in conflict or opposition, especially in long-term struggles.

  • In the court of law, the prosecutor and the defense attorney are adversaries
opponents

Commonly used in sports, politics, or debates to describe those on the opposite side of a contest, argument, or election.

  • In the debate, each candidate tried to outsmart their opponent
enemies

Carries a strong negative connotation and is used when describing individuals or groups with deep-seated hatred or hostility towards each other, often in contexts like war or personal vendettas.

  • During the war, the soldiers faced their enemies on the battlefield
rivals

Often used to describe individuals or organizations that are in competition with similar levels of skill or ability, implying a sense of ongoing competition.

  • The two schools have been rivals in football for decades
competitors

Appropriate for business, sports, or any situation where different entities or individuals are striving for the same goal, prize, or market share.

  • Apple and Samsung are major competitors in the smartphone market

Examples of usage

  • They have been adversaries for years, constantly competing for dominance.
  • The two nations are political adversaries, always at odds with each other.
  • The superhero and the villain are sworn adversaries, constantly battling each other.
  • The chess players were fierce adversaries, each trying to outsmart the other.
  • The business rivals were determined adversaries, fighting for market share.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • Derived from the Latin word 'adversarius', meaning 'opponent', which comes from 'advertere', meaning 'to turn towards'.
  • Related to the root 'ad-' meaning 'to' and 'versus' meaning 'turn', highlighting the concept of turning against someone.
  • The use of 'adversary' dates back to the 14th century in English, originally referring to a rival in both personal and legal terms.

Literature

  • In classic literature, adversaries often drive the plot, as seen with figures like Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty.
  • Many famous works depict adversarial relationships to explore themes of good versus evil, such as in 'Harry Potter' with Harry and Voldemort.
  • Adversaries often reflect personal or societal conflicts, adding depth to character development and narrative tension.

Psychology

  • Facing an adversary can stimulate stress but also motivate individuals to improve and strengthen their skills.
  • Psychological theories suggest that encountering adversarial relationships can help in personal growth and resilience.
  • Research indicates that competition with an adversary can enhance performance, a phenomenon known as the 'challenge effect'.

History

  • Throughout history, many notable conflicts have featured adversaries, such as the rivalry between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia.
  • In the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were seen as adversaries, influencing global politics for decades.
  • The concept of adversaries is often reflected in wars and treaties, shaping the course of nations and their histories.

Pop Culture

  • In film and TV, adversaries are often portrayed vividly, like Batman vs. The Joker representing the eternal struggle between order and chaos.
  • Video games often use adversaries as central to gameplay, creating challenges that players must overcome, such as in 'Street Fighter' or 'Mortal Kombat'.
  • Adversarial relationships in sports create dramatic narratives, increasing viewership and engagement, such as the famed rivalry of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

Translations

Translations of the word "adversaries" in other languages:

🇵🇹 adversários

🇮🇳 विरोधी

🇩🇪 Gegner

🇮🇩 lawan

🇺🇦 суперники

🇵🇱 przeciwnicy

🇯🇵 敵

🇫🇷 adversaires

🇪🇸 adversarios

🇹🇷 rakipler

🇰🇷 적

🇸🇦 خصوم

🇨🇿 protivníci

🇸🇰 protivníci

🇨🇳 对手

🇸🇮 nasprotniki

🇮🇸 andstæðingar

🇰🇿 қарсыластар

🇬🇪 მოწინააღმდეგეები

🇦🇿 rəqiblər

🇲🇽 adversarios

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,912, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.