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
The Hungarian midfielder had looked set to bask in the glory of being Liverpool’s match-winner against old foes Manchester City at Anfield.
—
James Pearce, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Joe Schoen is on the verge of handing a Super Bowl to back-to-back NFC foes if the Seattle Seahawks topple the New England Patriots Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
From that moment forward, the two Bay State Conference foes traded punches throughout, exchanging one run after the next.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Five players from this season’s team are now foes.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 7 Feb. 2026
As dangerous foes close in, the pair must come together in order to navigate the road ahead.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Wild forward Nico Sturm has been breaking in his Team Germany skates at a few Minnesota practices, and joked about hiding his on-ice moves from NHL teammates that may be foes in Italy.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
And even though the two are now divisional foes, the friendly trash talk hasn’t quite started yet.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
The book begins with a familiar spark, a rescue, but Wells wanted to push the setting into something stronger and tougher to move through, eventually coming up with another unique sci-fi setting that Murderbot and its friends can navigate while encountering friends, foes and more eye contact.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 24 Jan. 2026
James Pearce, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Joe Schoen is on the verge of handing a Super Bowl to back-to-back NFC foes if the Seattle Seahawks topple the New England Patriots Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
From that moment forward, the two Bay State Conference foes traded punches throughout, exchanging one run after the next.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Five players from this season’s team are now foes.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 7 Feb. 2026
As dangerous foes close in, the pair must come together in order to navigate the road ahead.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Wild forward Nico Sturm has been breaking in his Team Germany skates at a few Minnesota practices, and joked about hiding his on-ice moves from NHL teammates that may be foes in Italy.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
And even though the two are now divisional foes, the friendly trash talk hasn’t quite started yet.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
The book begins with a familiar spark, a rescue, but Wells wanted to push the setting into something stronger and tougher to move through, eventually coming up with another unique sci-fi setting that Murderbot and its friends can navigate while encountering friends, foes and more eye contact.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foes
Noun
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Water and sunlight are the two primary enemies of wood.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Or douse it straight into the soups of thine enemies.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As the skaters were coming back toward the line, Stoddard fell and took out three of her opponents.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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In the modern game, where so much emphasis out of possession is on forcing opponents wide and stopping them from playing through the middle of the pitch, space often opens up on the flanks.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Laporta wanted to disassociate himself completely from the project and Barca’s strongest rivals before club members go to the polls.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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The Celtics entered Sunday with a one-game lead over their Atlantic Division rivals, but the Knicks dominated this matchup, building a 20-point fourth-quarter lead before C’s head coach Joe Mazzulla pulled his starters with five minutes remaining.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foes. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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