sparring partner
Practice fight companion
A sparring partner is someone you practice fighting with, originally in boxing—a training opponent who helps you sharpen skills without the stakes of actual competition.
The term extends to anyone who regularly engages you in debate or argument: She was his intellectual sparring partner for decades.
The relationship implies mutual benefit and a degree of trust.
- boxerCombat sport competitor
- opponentOne who contends against
- rivalOne who competes against
- ringClosed curve shape
- glovesHand coverings with fingers
jab · punch · body shots · practice · gym · training camp · fighter · bout · clinch · footwork · sweat · mouthguard · heavyweight · boxing ring · dodge · counterpunch · workout · mitt
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- fightersboxer, boxers, wrestler, Muhammad Ali, fighter
- partnersassociates, collaborators, colleagues, co-workers, coworkers
- boxing staffboxer, trainer, referee, cornerman, cutman
- kickboxingkickboxing, jab, hook kick, roundhouse kick, punch
- arguersarguer, debater, disputant, disputer, quarreler
sparring partnermortal enemy
Lethal sworn adversary
archenemy · nemesis · sworn enemy · antagonist · assassin
spar, sparred, sparring, spars, partner, partners, partnered, partnering, partnership