enemy

noun

ˈe-nə-mē How to pronounce enemy (audio)
Definition of enemynext
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 The attacks are examples of how Kyiv has used drone innovation as a key part of its response to the invasion by its much bigger enemy more than four years ago. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 There’s also new music and a handful of new enemy and weapon variants. — Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026 Fallon, by some miracle, pulls it off, thereby eliminating himself from the enemies list. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026 Along the way, Jackie encounters enemies and rivals, some of whom remain her rivals while others become her friends. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enemy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enemy
  1. opponent
  2. foe
  3. hostile
Noun
  • Some opponents of the merger have argued that the deal will effectively consolidate all of March Madness under one corporate umbrella and ultimately harm competition for college sports rights.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Their assertions come on the heels of Class 6A Thomas County Central’s historic season in which the Yellow Jackets averaged nearly 54 points per game and beat every opponent by 14 or more on the way to a 15-0 season.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of opponent
Noun
  • Worrell’s frequent foe, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, bashed her over Rundell’s past on social media, suggesting dropped cases previously left the teen free to commit murder this summer.
    — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, friends and foes alike were reminded that allies of the United States cannot be certain that their interests will be protected during a war or that Washington will even consult with them before deciding to use force.
    — KORI SCHAKE, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of foe
Noun
  • Energy costs, vanishing federal subsidies and an administration in Washington hostile to clean energy are giving officials reasons to retreat from efforts to deal with climate change and the political cover to do so.
    — Andres Clarens, The Conversation, 17 June 2026
  • During the recent demonstration test, the Bird of Prey took off from a launch cradle, and once in the air was able to autonomously search for, detect, and classify a target drone standing in for a hostile.
    — David Szondy April 04, New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of hostile

Browse Nearby Words

enemies
enemy
energetic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enemy. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on enemy

Nglish: Translation of enemy for Spanish Speakers

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