Adverse Witness Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Adverse Witness.

Adverse Witness (noun): An adverse witness, also known as a hostile witness, is a person who testifies in a legal proceeding (like a trial) and whose testimony is against the interests of the party who called them. In other words, they're a witness who gives evidence that damages the case of the side by whom they were summoned. Despite being called by one party to support their claim, the adverse witness may contradict their view or present information that undermines them.