adversarial
Characterized by opposition or conflict between parties
Examples
In a meeting
“We need to move from an adversarial relationship with vendors to a partnership model.”
Over coffee
“The divorce proceedings became unnecessarily adversarial.”
Why this word
hostile
adversarial specifically describes a relationship characterized by opposition or conflict, while hostile merely suggests unfriendliness or antagonism without the structural opposition
opposing
adversarial implies active confrontation and competing interests, while opposing simply means being on different sides without the combative quality
antagonistic
adversarial suggests a formal or systemic opposition (as in legal proceedings), while antagonistic is more general emotional opposition
Usage tip
Use to describe relationships or approaches based on opposition rather than cooperation
Etymology
Latin — from 'adversarius' (opponent), from 'adversus' (turned against), from 'ad-' (to) + 'vertere' (to turn)
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Related words
contradict
To state the opposite or deny the truth of something
pushback
Resistance or objection to an idea or plan
appease
To pacify or satisfy someone by giving in to their demands
impasse
A deadlock where no progress is possible
conciliatory
Intended to gain goodwill or reduce hostility
defuse
To reduce the danger or tension in a situation