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adversarial

Adjective

IPA /ˌædvəˈseəriəl/

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Meaning in plain English

Involving opposing sides that argue against each other and try to defeat each other's position instead of cooperating.

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Pronunciation

adversarial/ˌædvəˈseəriəl/

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Cooperative: work towards a shared solution
Adversarial: opposing sides challenge each other

An adversarial discussion has sides arguing against each other's positions.

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Their discussion about the garden became adversarial when neither would compromise.
The interviewer adopted an adversarial approach and challenged every answer.

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Their discussion about the garden became ________ when neither would compromise.

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adversarial — Involving opposing sides that argue against each other and try to defeat each other's position instead of cooperating.

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Involving opposing sides that argue against each other and try to defeat each other's position instead of cooperating.

Compare: Their discussion about the garden became adversarial when neither would compromise.

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Word origin

Formed from adversary and the adjective ending -al; recorded by the late nineteenth century.

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Adversarial describes systems and relationships, including a system of justice with opposing sides.

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