frenemy

noun fren·e·my \ ˈfre-nə-mē \

Updated on: 15 May 2018

Definition of frenemy

plural frenemies

: one who pretends to be a friend but is actually an enemy

Recent Examples of frenemy from the Web

Technology has been facing a reckoning, with many people calling it frenemy No. 1.

— WSJ, "If Machines Take Over, Who Will Be in Charge?," 10 May 2018
This afternoon, Swift revealed on her Instagram story that her longtime frenemy sent her a sweet package ahead of the opening night of her Reputation tour.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Katy Perry Sent Taylor Swift an Actual Olive Branch and Officially Ended Their Feud," 8 May 2018
In the meantime, this frenemy relationship continues to get closer.

— jason del rey, Recode, "Amazon doesn’t need to acquire Best Buy — because Best Buy keeps cozying up anyway," 18 Apr. 2018
Then there's a vampire flick, based on Spider-Man frenemy Morbius, the Living Vampire, and now Nightwatch.

— joshua rivera, GQ, "Spike Lee Might Finally Make a Superhero Movie," 14 Mar. 2018
Regardless of how Waymo and Uber may differ technologically, the companies are linked financially in a frenemy sort of way.

— david muller, Car and Driver, "Waymo Chief Says His Company’s Self-Driving Tech “Would Be Able to Handle” Fatal Uber Crash Scenario," 26 Mar. 2018
And who should keep popping up time and again but her frenemy Swift.

— amy mackelden, Marie Claire, "Katy Perry Shades Taylor Swift on 'American Idol'," 19 Mar. 2018
No word yet on how de Lesseps feels on frenemy Morgan stealing the spotlight.

— Fox News, "'Real Housewives' star Sonja Morgan's dress comes off during Luann de Lesseps' cabaret show," 9 Mar. 2018
Sounds like blocking the maybe-frenemy would have a peace-of-mind dividend, too.

— carolyn hax, idahostatesman, "Feeling guilty for unfriending a braggart on Facebook | Idaho Statesman," 27 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'frenemy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of frenemy

blend of friend and enemy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1953

in the meaning defined above

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frenemy

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