ENEMY Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

enemy

noun

ˈe-nə-mē

Definition of enemy

as in opponent

one that is hostile toward another a beloved minister with no known enemies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of enemy Continue reading … STAR WARS — America's enemies prepare to take the next major war into outer space. — FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 Cynicism may appear to be the great enemy of the human, but in Gulliver’s Travels that noun means less a hatred of humans than of sadness. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026 Cornered and outnumbered by a mutual enemy, Paladin switches loyalties and throws in with Vision. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026 Friends and enemies alike credit her with providing much of the administration’s election road map. — Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enemy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for enemy

Noun

Sorrells said that his opponent’s assessment is Ill-informed.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
But that game was in New York and this one was in Charlotte’s backyard and, more importantly, against a far better opponent.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of opponent

Noun

The backup looked functional, if not better, in his lone start against a top-10 foe, but the sample size remains small.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
The team totaled 463 yards against the Cougars, its most against a conference foe since amassing 578 yards against the Mountaineers.

— Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of foe

Browse Nearby Words

enemies

enemy

energetic

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“Enemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enemy. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of enemy

noun

Example Sentences

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