ADVERSARIAL Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

adversarial

adjective

ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl

Definition of adversarial

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will the relationship between the president and the congress should not be adversarial if anything is to get done

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of adversarial For decades, Washington relied on deterrence to counter the possibility of adversarial biological attacks—but, notably, not by threatening biological attacks of its own. — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Previous Tyson Group polling cited in the memo found 72% of Americans supported government guardrails on AI, while 63% were concerned that adversarial countries such as China were developing the technology faster than the United States. — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2026 In 2010, privacy artist and researcher Adam Harvey developed a system to counter burgeoning facial recognition technology, using adversarial makeup and hair-styling techniques. — Kim Key, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026 Minors shouldn’t face adversarial hearings, says Andrew Arthur, a resident fellow in law and policy at the Center for Immigration Studies and former immigration judge. — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adversarial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversarial

Adjective

Kuwait's army said its air defence systems were targeting hostile missile and drone attacks.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Some recent laws, including the Safer Skies Act of 2025, grant state and local agencies (though not private-sector entities) greater license to detect and track hostile drones.

— Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of hostile

Adjective

And as the backlash to generative AI continues to grow, especially in creative fields, those attempts are bringing in far more negative than positive attention.

— Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
At least twice each fiscal year, school boards review updated financial projections and classify their districts’ fiscal health as positive, qualified or negative, after which county superintendents review each certification and may downgrade it.

— Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of negative

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ad verbum

adversarial

adversaries

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“Adversarial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversarial. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of adversarial

adjective

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