adversaries
Those against you
Adversaries are opponents or enemies—those who stand against you in conflict, competition, or disagreement.
The word carries more weight than mere competitors; adversaries actively oppose each other's interests or goals.
The two lawyers were longtime adversaries in the courtroom.
The singular is adversary.
Hostile opponents
- rivalsThose who compete
- opponentsThose who compete against
- nemesesInescapable, unconquerable opponents
- archenemiesGreatest, most hated opponents
antagonists · villains · aggressors · assailants · invaders · attackers · combatants · challengers
Armed conflict between groups
- battlefieldCombat engagement area
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- combatArmed hostile engagement
skirmish · engagement · struggle · hostilities · battle · showdown · standoff · face-off
Bitter, lasting ill will
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- hatredIntense hostile aversion
rivalry · acrimony · bad blood · ill will · grudge · resentment · friction · tension
Those who compete
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- leagueAssociation or distance unit
- contestOrganized competitive event
race · matchup · playoffs · bout · challenger · contender · underdog · match
foes
Hostile opponents
- rivalsThose who compete
- opponentsThose who compete against
- nemesesInescapable, unconquerable opponents
archenemies · antagonists · villains · aggressors · assailants · invaders · attackers · combatants · challengers · contenders
warfare
Armed conflict between groups
- battlefieldCombat engagement area
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
combat · skirmish · engagement · struggle · hostilities · battle · showdown · standoff · face-off · duel
enmity
Bitter, lasting ill will
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
hatred · rivalry · acrimony · bad blood · ill will · grudge · resentment · friction · tension · discord
rivals
Those who compete
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- leagueAssociation or distance unit
contest · race · matchup · playoffs · bout · challenger · contender · underdog · match · bracket
- competitorscompetitor, contestant, competitors, rivals, opponents
- villainsvillain, antagonists, Darth Vader, evil characters, Joker
- Epic Enemiesantagonists, rivals, nemeses, foes, villains
- negativistspessimists, defeatists, doomers, doomsayers, negative Nellies
- relationshipsfriends, romantic, family, friend, flirting
- war participantssoldiers, troops, armies, army, combatants
adversariesallies
Cooperative partners united together
partners · collaborators · teammates · confederates · comrades
adversariesfriends
Voluntary close relations
allies · companions · comrades · chums · confidants
adversarieshelpers
People who give aid
advocates · benefactors · protectors · defenders · champions