versus
preposition
1
: against
2
: in contrast to or as the alternative of
free trade versus protection
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Abbreviating Versus
In a number of areas the English language is possessed of an embarrassment of riches, with multiple synonyms or abbreviations for a word. One such case is versus, which is often written in a shortened form. You may choose between vs, vs., and v. Take care, when writing the word out in full, that you distinguish between versus (a preposition meaning “against”) and verses (“lines of metrical writing”).
Examples of versus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Discerning statements have been made by people in the know about electrical power: gas versus renewables.
—
Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
And what about grapefruit juice versus chunks of the actual fruit?
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 7 Apr. 2025
The San Diego Mojo is hosting its Regrettable Tattoo Night versus the Atlanta Vibe.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
There is also the matter of the particular versus the broad, or a tribe versus a grander state.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for versus
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Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
And what about grapefruit juice versus chunks of the actual fruit?
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 7 Apr. 2025
The San Diego Mojo is hosting its Regrettable Tattoo Night versus the Atlanta Vibe.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
There is also the matter of the particular versus the broad, or a tribe versus a grander state.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for versus
Cite this Entry
“Versus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/versus. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: against sense 1a
the champion versus the challenger
2
: in contrast to or as the alternative of
the tastiness of store-bought versus homemade cookies
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