foe

1 of 2

noun

ˈfō 

1

: one who has personal enmity for another

Embrace, embrace, my Sons! be foes no more!

—Alexander Pope

2

a

: an enemy in war

b

: adversary, opponent

a political foe

3

: one who opposes on principle

a foe of needless expenditures

a foe of censorship

4

: something prejudicial or injurious

a foe to health

FOE

2 of 2

abbreviation

Fraternal Order of Eagles

Synonyms of foe

Noun

• enemy
• opponent

Examples of foe in a Sentence

Noun

Many considered him a foe of democracy.

Her ability was acknowledged by friend and foe alike.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That sounds more like a right-wing foe of public financing than a supporter. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026

The hard fact, however, is that California’s economy isn’t doing so well these days, and it cannot be dismissed, as Newsom often does, as something dreamed up by political foes. —Dan Walters, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026

But the immediate aftermath of the hit sent an important message to the Lightning, and future foes, about this Wild team. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026

Big Ten rivals Nebraska and Iowa have budgets separated by just $781,000, while Sweet 16 foes Michigan and Alabama have the smallest spending gap of $411,000. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English fo, from Old English fāh, from fāh, adjective, hostile; akin to Old High German gifēh hostile

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing foe

• mortal foe/rival

Rhymes for foe

• beau
• beaux
• blow
• boe
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Kids Definition

foe

noun

ˈfō 

1

: one who hates another

2

: an enemy in war