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

One of the main themes of HUNTER is wrestling with yourself, or viewing yourself as the enemy. —Abby Webster, Billboard, 30 Dec. 2025

The pilots flew in formations of six, doing their best to avoid being chased and taken down by enemy planes or anti-aircraft shrapnel. —Fiona Donovan, Vanity Fair, 30 Dec. 2025

Outside its borders, its arch-enemy Israel continues lobbying the United States over further military action against the Islamic Republic. —Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025

Diabolical possession is akin to an enemy who has entered a home and lives in it hidden somewhere. —Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

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"