Adversary
Biblical supreme enemy
An adversary is an opponent or enemy—someone who actively opposes you in conflict, competition, or dispute.
The word carries more weight than *opponent*, suggesting genuine hostility or high stakes: The two lawyers had been adversaries for decades.
In religious contexts, the Adversary (capitalized) refers to Satan.
Wicked story antagonist
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- archenemyPrincipal antagonist
- evilProfound moral wickedness
hero · protagonist · foil · conflict · confrontation · showdown · climax · backstory
One who contends against
- enemyHostile opposing party
- foeHostile opponent
- rivalOne who competes against
- antagonistOne who opposes another
nemesis · combatant · challenger · contender · opposition · hostile · aggressor · belligerent
One striving against others
- rivalOne who competes against
- opponentOne who contends against
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- contenderOne competing seriously
opposition · underdog · frontrunner · matchup · head-to-head · face-off · showdown · championship
Something blocking the way
- challengeTest of ability
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- difficultyState of being hard
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
setback · barrier · impediment · hindrance · opposition · resistance · misfortune · tribulation
Party facing charges
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- litigantParty in lawsuit
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
- accusedCharged with wrongdoing
claimant · respondent · cross-examination · deposition · courtroom · lawsuit · litigation · dispute
Judeo-Christian arch-enemy of God
- devilEvil supernatural entity
- demonMalevolent supernatural being
- evilProfound moral wickedness
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
fallen angel · darkness · sin · corruption · Mara · serpent · deceiver · tempter
villain
Wicked story antagonist
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- archenemyPrincipal antagonist
evil · hero · protagonist · foil · conflict · confrontation · showdown · climax · backstory · motivation
opponent
One who contends against
antagonist · nemesis · combatant · challenger · contender · opposition · hostile · aggressor · belligerent · invader
competitor
One striving against others
- rivalOne who competes against
- opponentOne who contends against
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
contender · opposition · underdog · frontrunner · matchup · head-to-head · face-off · showdown · championship · tournament
obstacle
Something blocking the way
- challengeTest of ability
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- difficultyState of being hard
struggle · setback · barrier · impediment · hindrance · opposition · resistance · misfortune · tribulation · trial
defendant
Party facing charges
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- litigantParty in lawsuit
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
accused · claimant · respondent · cross-examination · deposition · courtroom · lawsuit · litigation · dispute · testimony
Satan
Judeo-Christian arch-enemy of God
temptation · fallen angel · darkness · sin · corruption · Mara · serpent · deceiver · tempter · spiritual warfare
Adversaryally
Supportive partner
supporter · partner · friend · confederate · collaborator