LDCE对adversary的释义是：adversary = opponent，不知这两个词有无区别？
opponent 是指战斗、竞争、比赛、辩论中的对手或者是某事的反对者,因此,它并不是在一切场合都含有敌意或仇视。例如:
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The two men had become fast friends when they were opponents in a chess tournament. (Cassell's) 这两个人在成为棋赛中的对手时, 早就是密友了。
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Opponents of civil rights defeated the amendment. (MD) 反对公民权的人否决了这项修正案。
adversary 也可指斗争、比赛中的对手：
Counsel for the defence faced an experienced adversary in District Attorney Smythe. (Harry Shaw) 被告一方的辩护人在阿托尼史密斯区面对着一个有经验的对手。
但是,有时候 adversary 含有敌意或仇视,因此,在这种情况下,它的词义和感情色彩近似于 foe 和 enemy:
Her cynical behavior made adversaries out of her opponents. (Crews) 她的冷嘲热讽的态度把她的对手变成了敌人。
Martin Luther King, influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, made many adversaries in his nonviolent quest for equality.
He shook hands with his ____ before the match.