public enemy number one
noun
: the nation's most wanted criminal : the most dangerous threat to society
In many countries today, drug abuse is public enemy number one.
Examples of public enemy number one in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mildew and mold are invisible causes of very real symptoms—and unwashed linens can be public enemy number one.
—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
Seemingly overnight, flip-flops went from public enemy number one to the most coveted shoe style on the market.
—
Kelsey Stiegman,
Glamour,
23 Feb. 2026
Hailed as a folk hero by cannabis users and branded public enemy number one by law enforcement, Barry’s outrageous reinvention is filled with wild stories, big personalities, and Texas-size spectacle.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
However, a 4-11 record has turned him into public enemy number one.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
23 Sep. 2025
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Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
Seemingly overnight, flip-flops went from public enemy number one to the most coveted shoe style on the market.
—
Kelsey Stiegman,
Glamour,
23 Feb. 2026
Hailed as a folk hero by cannabis users and branded public enemy number one by law enforcement, Barry’s outrageous reinvention is filled with wild stories, big personalities, and Texas-size spectacle.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 Sep. 2025
However, a 4-11 record has turned him into public enemy number one.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Public enemy number one.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20enemy%20number%20one. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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