1
as in enemies
one that is hostile toward another
are you friend or foe?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of foes
Cuba joined Iran, Russia and other foes of Washington in condemning the raid at the United Nations.
—
Robert Muggah, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
The Cardinals opened this season with wins over New Orleans and Carolina before dropping close games to division foes San Francisco and Seattle.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
In the storied rivalry between the two AFC North foes, which spans approximately 60 games, this was the first time a game resulted in either a playoff berth or the end of the season.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
Cuba joined Iran, Russia and other foes of Washington in condemning the raid at the United Nations.
—Robert Muggah, The Conversation, 4 Jan. 2026
But Trump surprised supporters and foes alike by inviting the Democrat to the White House for what ended up being a cordial meeting in November.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
His foes, by contrast, can agree on little other than their hatred of him.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
Start the man who has thrown more touchdowns against the Dolphins than his other AFC East foes combined.
—Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
The Patriots have already beaten their three previous NFC South foes, the Panthers, Saints and Falcons.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Robert Muggah, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
The Cardinals opened this season with wins over New Orleans and Carolina before dropping close games to division foes San Francisco and Seattle.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
In the storied rivalry between the two AFC North foes, which spans approximately 60 games, this was the first time a game resulted in either a playoff berth or the end of the season.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
Cuba joined Iran, Russia and other foes of Washington in condemning the raid at the United Nations.
—Robert Muggah, The Conversation, 4 Jan. 2026
But Trump surprised supporters and foes alike by inviting the Democrat to the White House for what ended up being a cordial meeting in November.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
His foes, by contrast, can agree on little other than their hatred of him.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
Start the man who has thrown more touchdowns against the Dolphins than his other AFC East foes combined.
—Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
The Patriots have already beaten their three previous NFC South foes, the Panthers, Saints and Falcons.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foes
Noun
-
Davie’s successor will inherit an organization wrestling with its place in a media ecosystem dominated by overseas tech giants, as well as battling enemies closer to home, with conservative politicians and media proprietors wishing to see the BBC diminished during charter renewal.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Even paranoiacs have enemies, maybe rendering their paranoia a rational response.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After a shocking few weeks of first round and quarterfinal competition, semifinal opponents are set and the College Football Playoff national championship is just around the corner.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Both Isaacs boys pinned their opponents, as did DeLand’s Gerald ‘Taz’ Logan III, another dual-sport athlete.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At certain points, Pelosi and Hoyer were seen as rivals vying for the speakership — a role that only Pelosi ended up securing.—
Nikole Killion,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The short, but so far rather sweet, voyage of the Chelsea Under-21 boss at the first-team helm will feature one last stop just across the Thames against west London rivals Fulham.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foes. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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