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
Our goal should be to accurately compare biological age versus chronological age.
—
David A. Brenner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
The China equity rally is a sleeper of a trade (not just YTD but since January 2024), though the renminbi’s rally versus the US dollar is even more so.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
That’s the trap with a character like this — writing to a joke versus writing to her worldview and her attitude.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
During her appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Wednesday, July 23, the actress, 37, opened up about the differences between having an actual baby bump versus using a fake belly for her role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for versus
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David A. Brenner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
The China equity rally is a sleeper of a trade (not just YTD but since January 2024), though the renminbi’s rally versus the US dollar is even more so.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
That’s the trap with a character like this — writing to a joke versus writing to her worldview and her attitude.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
During her appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Wednesday, July 23, the actress, 37, opened up about the differences between having an actual baby bump versus using a fake belly for her role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 24 July 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 30 Jul. 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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