sparring partner

[spahr-ing pahrt-ner] / ˈspɑr ɪŋ ˌpɑrt nər /

NOUN

practice partner

Synonyms

WEAK

boxer palooka second sparring mate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The boxer is a sparring partner for Marian, who works out her aggression in the ring.

From Los Angeles Times

He was a close friend and intellectual sparring partner of the celebrated physicist Richard Feynman and the renowned computer scientist Marvin Minsky, a trailblazer in artificial intelligence.

From New York Times

A judo sparring partner from Mr. Putin’s youth became a construction billionaire and built Mr. Putin’s landmark bridge to Crimea.

From New York Times

The southpaw - who said she has struggled to find female sparring partners able to withstand her power, instead sparring male boxers - picked up the intensity in the fifth.

From BBC

I was really lucky to have Christina, and I don’t know how I’m going to get another sparring partner like that.

From Los Angeles Times