versus

preposition

ver·​sus ˈvər-səs How to pronounce versus (audio) -səz How to pronounce versus (audio)
1
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 The Investors Intelligence bull-bear ratio is another indicator that measures the level of optimistic versus pessimistic advisers. Krystal Hur, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 For those not in the industry, what does freelance mean versus being staffed on a show? Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2024 Speculation arose online that the latest picture was also doctored, with social media users citing a difference in how the brick wall behind the vehicle looked through the window versus above the car. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 At two private fundraising events, Harris painted the election as the choice between freedom and dictatorship, creating jobs through the green energy economy or denying climate change, and safeguarding reproductive rights versus stripping women of their bodily autonomy. Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Looking ahead, federal officials predict overall food prices will keep climbing, but at a much slower rate: up 1.6% in 2024 versus 5% in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Price Outlook. Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2024 Rivian has been teasing its R2 electric vehicle for a while now, which is expected to be a smaller and more affordable compact SUV versus its current R1S. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 7 Mar. 2024 Saunders said the market for movies versus comics developed in distinct ways across the 2000s. John Towfighi, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Put a financial plan in place, and monitor your liabilities versus your assets. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'versus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, towards, against, from Latin, adverb, so as to face, from past participle of vertere to turn

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of versus was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near versus

Cite this Entry

“Versus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/versus. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

versus

preposition
ver·​sus ˈvər-səs How to pronounce versus (audio) -səz How to pronounce versus (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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