enemy

noun

en·​e·​my ˈe-nə-mē 

plural enemies

1

: one that is antagonistic to another

especially : one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound an opponent

2

: something harmful or deadly

alcohol was his greatest enemy

3

a

: a military adversary

b

: a hostile unit or force

Synonyms of enemy

• opponent
• foe
• hostile

Examples of enemy in a Sentence

He made a lot of enemies during the course of his career.

Tradition is the enemy of progress.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mojtaba Khamenei said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would continue as a means of pressuring the enemy, while also calling for unity among Iranians. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026

American torpedoes sank a hostile enemy vessel for the first time since World War II. —Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026

In Season 3, as Dwight’s empire expands, so do his enemies – and the risks to his crew. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026

Santi quickly says the wrong thing to him, seemingly making an enemy of him off the bat. —Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enmy, enemi, borrowed from Anglo-French enemi, going back to Latin inimīcus, noun derivative of inimīcus, adjective, "of an opponent, unfriendly, hostile," from in- in- entry 1 + amīcus "friendly, well-disposed, loving" — more at amiable

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing enemy

• behind enemy lines
• enemy territory
• mortal enemy
• public enemy number one

Kids Definition

enemy

noun

en·​e·​my ˈen-ə-mē 

plural enemies

1

: one that tries to hurt or overthrow or that seeks the failure of another

2

: something that harms

3

a

: a nation with which a country is at war

b

: a military force or a person belonging to such a nation

Etymology

Middle English enemi "enemy," from early French enemi (same meaning), from Latin inimicus (same meaning), from in- "not" and amicus "friend"