1
as in enemies
one that is hostile toward another
are you friend or foe?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opponents
one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict
this Saturday our team will go up against our longtime foes in a game that will determine the champion of the conference
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 foes
Green Bay went 1-5 against divisional foes in 2005, though, and Sherman was fired one day after the season ended.
—
Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
All four of its losses came to Detroit and the Rams, a pair of excellent foes.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
The battle between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers could emerge as the most fierce rivalry in the sport this season, as a legitimate argument can be made that the NFC North foes are the NFL's two best teams.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Momma’s recipe for making a College Football Playoff team doesn’t really include facing difficult Group of 5 foes.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Some of them are friends and some are foes, and some look completely normal, while others … not so much.
—Lisa De Los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
By the finale of Season 2, Wednesday had identified her newest foes to be Francoise Galpin (Frances O’Connor) and Isaac Night (Owen Painter), the mother and uncle, respectively, of Season 1 monster Tyler Galpin (Hunter Doohan).
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Along the way, the cat joins forces with former foes of various species aboard a boat in search of dry land and a new beginning.
—Charlotte Walsh, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The local Navy players found some foes of old playing for Occidental, Bishop’s grad Max Stone and Eastlake alum Zane Derrod.
—Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
All four of its losses came to Detroit and the Rams, a pair of excellent foes.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
The battle between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers could emerge as the most fierce rivalry in the sport this season, as a legitimate argument can be made that the NFC North foes are the NFL's two best teams.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Momma’s recipe for making a College Football Playoff team doesn’t really include facing difficult Group of 5 foes.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Some of them are friends and some are foes, and some look completely normal, while others … not so much.
—Lisa De Los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
By the finale of Season 2, Wednesday had identified her newest foes to be Francoise Galpin (Frances O’Connor) and Isaac Night (Owen Painter), the mother and uncle, respectively, of Season 1 monster Tyler Galpin (Hunter Doohan).
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Along the way, the cat joins forces with former foes of various species aboard a boat in search of dry land and a new beginning.
—Charlotte Walsh, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The local Navy players found some foes of old playing for Occidental, Bishop’s grad Max Stone and Eastlake alum Zane Derrod.
—Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foes
Noun
-
Dealing with internal conflicts of identity while being threatened by external enemies is not unique to Israel.—
Ron Scherf,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In the scope of housework, hard water stains are high on the list of public enemies in my home.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The 38-year-old Uruguayan icon, one of the greatest strikers in history with more than 500 goals for club and country, has been banned on three occasions for biting opponents during matches.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Democratic candidates on Charlotte public safety Some of Lyles’ opponents in this year’s Democratic mayor primary are questioning whether the four-term mayor has done enough to address crime.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Over the last three years both Teck and Anglo have been takeover targets for their mining rivals, Australia’s BHP and Swiss-based Glencore.—
Tim Treadgold,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The product launches demonstrate how Europe’s legacy manufacturers are taking the fight to their Chinese rivals, in a bid to both retain market share in the European Union and offset declining sales in China, the world’s largest car market.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foes. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share