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

It is given for actions while engaged in combat against an enemy of the United States, for the highest level of bravery, sacrifice and integrity while exhibiting a deep love of country and a desire to always do what is right. —Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026

My identity and personhood could also be tethered to a body and a number, one that would fluctuate but somehow remain an enemy throughout my life. —Hunter Lacey, Allure, 26 Feb. 2026

While details about the plot and cast are being kept under wraps, the story has been compared to '80s and '90s action movies Red Dawn and Toy Soldiers, which both involve teenage boys banding together to defeat invading enemies. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Feb. 2026

Well, the first order of business for Americans playing in away games like this is to suppress all of the enemy’s air defenses. —Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 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"