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
In the horror sequel, Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail return to face new foes as well the old murderous animatronic animals of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
The second and final meeting of the regular season between the cross-conference foes at American Airlines Center went a bit differently Friday night.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
But behind the scenes, sources told ABC News there was mounting frustration over Bondi's lack of success in prosecuting political foes of the president, as well as her handling of the Epstein files.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
In opening round matchups, Oklahoma outlasted Colorado 90-86 in overtime, while Baylor outmatched Minnesota 67-48 to set up a semifinal clash between the two former Big 12 foes on Saturday afternoon.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 2 Apr. 2026
In his absence was a grievance fest about a nation heading terribly off course, with foes at every turn to defy the greatness for which MAGA yearns.
—Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The teams are potential first-round playoff foes, depending on how high the 10th-place Hornets can climb in the conference standings.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The hard fact, however, is that California’s economy isn’t doing so well these days, and it cannot be dismissed, as Newsom often does, as something dreamed up by political foes.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
But the immediate aftermath of the hit sent an important message to the Lightning, and future foes, about this Wild team.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
The second and final meeting of the regular season between the cross-conference foes at American Airlines Center went a bit differently Friday night.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
But behind the scenes, sources told ABC News there was mounting frustration over Bondi's lack of success in prosecuting political foes of the president, as well as her handling of the Epstein files.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
In opening round matchups, Oklahoma outlasted Colorado 90-86 in overtime, while Baylor outmatched Minnesota 67-48 to set up a semifinal clash between the two former Big 12 foes on Saturday afternoon.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 2 Apr. 2026
In his absence was a grievance fest about a nation heading terribly off course, with foes at every turn to defy the greatness for which MAGA yearns.
—Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The teams are potential first-round playoff foes, depending on how high the 10th-place Hornets can climb in the conference standings.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The hard fact, however, is that California’s economy isn’t doing so well these days, and it cannot be dismissed, as Newsom often does, as something dreamed up by political foes.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
But the immediate aftermath of the hit sent an important message to the Lightning, and future foes, about this Wild team.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foes
Noun
-
Those who relish killing people not only create more enemies but forget that it has been promised that fire would lead to Armageddon.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
-
And their drone and missile strikes on their Muslim neighbors, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are only creating new enemies.—
Donald Heflin,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Players schlep downstairs, wearing slippers or sandals, and walk through the game plan and what to expect from their opponents.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
His opponents have strong cases, too.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the past few years, Chinese automakers were already expanding EV development and production while growing exports faster than American or European rivals, offering cheaper models and gaining ground in regions like Southeast Asia.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
No word on what happens after ceasefire expires The face-to-face talks that ended early Sunday were the highest-level negotiations between the longtime rivals since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foes. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
