ADVERSARY
adversary, antagonist, opponent, opposer, resister
(noun) someone who offers opposition
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Proper noun
the Adversary
(religion, Christianity) The Devil; Satan.
Synonyms
• See Satan.
Etymology
Noun
adversary (plural adversaries)
An opponent or rival.
Synonyms
• villain, antagonist
Antonyms
• hero, ally
Source: Wiktionary
Ad`ver*sa*ry, n.; pl. Adversaries. Etym: [OE. adversarie, direct fr.
the Latin, and adversaire, fr. OF. adversier, aversier, fr. L.
adversarius (a.) turned toward, (n.) an adversary. See Adverse.]
Definition: One who is turned against another or others with a design to
oppose
or resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an
opponent; an antagonist; an enemy; a foe.
His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries. Shak.
Agree with thine adversary quickly. Matt. v. 25.
It may be thought that to vindicate the permanency of truth is to
dispute without an adversary. Beattie.
The Adversary, The Satan, or the Devil.
Syn.
– Adversary, Enemy, Opponent, Antagonist. Enemy is the only one of
these words which necessarily implies a state of personal hostility.
Men may be adversaries, antagonists, or opponents to each other in
certain respects, and yet have no feelings of general animosity. An
adversary may be simply one who is placed for a time in a hostile
position, as in a lawsuit, an argument, in chess playing, or at
fence. An opponent is one who is ranged against another (perhaps
passively) on the opposing side; as a political opponent, an opponent
in debate. An antagonist is one who struggles against another with
active effort, either in a literal fight or in verbal debate.
Ad"ver*sa*ry, a.
1. Opposed; opposite; adverse; antagonistic. [Archaic] Bp. King.
2. (Law)
Definition: Having an opposing party; not unopposed; as, an adversary suit.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition