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adversarial
adjective
ad·ver·sar·i·al
ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl
ˌad-və-,
-ˈse-rē-
: involving two people or two sides who oppose each other : of, relating to, or characteristic of an adversary or adversary procedures (see adversary entry 2 sense 2)
an adversarial relationship
an adversarial system of justice with prosecution and defense opposing each other
Synonyms
Examples of adversarial in a Sentence
an adversarial system of justice with prosecution and defense opposing each other
the relationship between the president and the congress should not be adversarial if anything is to get done
Recent Examples on the Web
The tools take advantage of Generative adversarial networks, which, in essence, try to trick the AI algorithm with incorrect (i.e., adversarial) data.
—PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
This shifted dialogues toward joint problem-solving instead of adversarial defending.
—Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The list includes dealing with powerful union resistance to major disciplinary reforms; scrutiny from oversight officials after a rash of confidence-shaking scandals; and calls to improve relations with communities left mistrustful after decades of adversarial policing.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
At the same time, Ani’s defiant refusal to warm to her assailant feeds into another rom-com formula: the love story that flowers out of an adversarial relationship.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
First Known Use
1839, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near adversarial
Cite this Entry
“Adversarial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adversarial. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
adversarial
adjective
ad·ver·sar·i·al
ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl
: involving two people or two sides who oppose each other
Legal Definition
adversarial
adjective
ad·ver·sar·i·al
ˌad-vər-ˈser-ē-əl
: of, relating to, or characteristic of an adversary or adversary procedures : adversary
More from Merriam-Webster on adversarial
Nglish: Translation of adversarial for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of adversarial for Arabic Speakers
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