Basic Details
Word: Adversary
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A person, group, or thing that opposes or fights against someone or something; an opponent.
Synonyms: Opponent, rival, foe
Antonyms: Ally, friend, supporter
Idioms and Phrases
- Fighting against an adversary: This means to struggle or compete with someone who opposes you. Example: "In the final match, our team is not just playing; we are fighting against an adversary."
- Adversary at the gates: Used to describe a significant threat that is very close or imminent. Example: "With the exam results coming soon, I felt like an adversary was at the gates, challenging my confidence."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The knight faced his adversary in the tournament, determined to win the championship.
Example 2: In the debate, she skillfully argued against her adversary's points to sway the judges.
Example 3: The clever fox was always one step ahead of its adversary, the hungry wolf.
Fun Fact
The word "adversary" comes from the Latin term "adversarius," which means "opponent" or "one who turns against." It has been used in English since the Middle Ages to describe enemies or rivals in various contexts.
Famous Quote
"The greatest adversary is not another person, but the limitations we impose on ourselves." - Anonymous
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "adversary" mean?
a) A close friend
b) A person who opposes another
c) A helpful ally
d) A type of animal
Answer: b) A person who opposes another
2. Which of these is a synonym of "adversary"?
a) Ally
b) Opponent
c) Supporter
d) Friend
Answer: b) Opponent
3. What is an antonym of "adversary"?
a) Rival
b) Foe
c) Supporter
d) Challenger
Answer: c) Supporter
4. Which sentence uses "adversary" correctly?
a) After school, I played with my adversary at the park.
b) My adversary and I worked together on the project.
c) The chess player checked his adversary's next move carefully.
d) He made his adversary laugh with a great joke.
Answer: c) The chess player checked his adversary's next move carefully.
5. Which idiom refers to facing an "adversary"?
a) Adversary at the gates
b) Reading between the lines
c) A wolf in sheep's clothing
d) Keeping one's chin up
Answer: a) Adversary at the gates
