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
Biopharmaceutical stocks' underperformance versus the broader market for a third straight year is an opportunity for investors, according to JPMorgan.
—
Brian Evans, CNBC, 6 June 2025
During this timeframe, Palantir Technologies’ Operating Cash Flow (OCF) was $1.3 billion, indicating a significantly high OCF margin of 42.8% (versus 14.9% for the S&P 500).
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
This year, death warrants resulted in executions at nearly twice the rate of the past nine years, (68% versus 35%), and courts are only granting stays about 11% of the time, compared to 31% previously, according to Robert Dunham, director of the Death Penalty Policy Project.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Ukraine’s drone attack the latest in a series of daring David versus Goliath hits against Russian targets
Ukrainian military officials said 41 Russian aircraft were hit in last Sunday’s attacks, including strategic bombers and surveillance planes, with some destroyed and others damaged.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for versus
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Brian Evans, CNBC, 6 June 2025
During this timeframe, Palantir Technologies’ Operating Cash Flow (OCF) was $1.3 billion, indicating a significantly high OCF margin of 42.8% (versus 14.9% for the S&P 500).
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
This year, death warrants resulted in executions at nearly twice the rate of the past nine years, (68% versus 35%), and courts are only granting stays about 11% of the time, compared to 31% previously, according to Robert Dunham, director of the Death Penalty Policy Project.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Ukraine’s drone attack the latest in a series of daring David versus Goliath hits against Russian targets
Ukrainian military officials said 41 Russian aircraft were hit in last Sunday’s attacks, including strategic bombers and surveillance planes, with some destroyed and others damaged.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 June 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 10 Jun. 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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