What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
adversary
Example
The company faced strong opposition from their adversary in the market. [adversary: noun]
Example
The team struggled to overcome their adversary's defense tactics. [adversary's: possessive noun]
opponent
Example
The boxer's opponent was a formidable challenger with years of experience. [opponent: noun]
Example
The two teams faced off against each other in a heated opponent match. [opponent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Opponent is more commonly used than adversary in everyday language. Opponent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while adversary is less common and is typically used in legal or political contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between adversary and opponent?
Both adversary and opponent can be used in formal and informal contexts, but adversary may be considered more formal due to its association with legal or political language.
