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
After beating up on teams from the Ivy League and Ohio Valley Conference, the Aggies (10-1) took a perfect 8-0 record into a North Texas tournament featuring foes from the Big Ten, ACC and Big 12.
—
Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
Sun Valley Poly and Monroe, who are East Valley League foes, clashed in the City Division IV final, their third meeting this season.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
The Rangers beat the Mariners 9-4 in their first game against the division foes Saturday.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Still, the one constant from the last matchup between the Magic and the Pistons ahead of Sunday’s game between the Eastern Conference foes comes in the form of the high-level of play from Orlando guard Desmond Bane and Detroit guard Cade Cunningham.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
The two foes fought a 12-day war in June.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
But with Tuesday’s result, two historic foes located 10 miles apart might find some separation.
—Aaron Heisen, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
In addition to the storm of clashing superheroes and their evil intergalactic foes, this upcoming outing will introduce a trio of new antagonists called Thragg, Dinosaurus, and Universa.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
Sun Valley Poly and Monroe, who are East Valley League foes, clashed in the City Division IV final, their third meeting this season.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
The Rangers beat the Mariners 9-4 in their first game against the division foes Saturday.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Still, the one constant from the last matchup between the Magic and the Pistons ahead of Sunday’s game between the Eastern Conference foes comes in the form of the high-level of play from Orlando guard Desmond Bane and Detroit guard Cade Cunningham.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
The two foes fought a 12-day war in June.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
But with Tuesday’s result, two historic foes located 10 miles apart might find some separation.
—Aaron Heisen, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
In addition to the storm of clashing superheroes and their evil intergalactic foes, this upcoming outing will introduce a trio of new antagonists called Thragg, Dinosaurus, and Universa.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foes
Noun
-
Though surrounded by enemies, Khamenei long kept them at bay.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
What begins as petty extortion turns into control of the local drug trade, as the girls style themselves as protectors of the poor and enemies of the corrupt.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Khamenei saw off opponents at home while extending Tehran’s power across the Middle East via a network of proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Cornyn, for his part, has not shied away from the criticism and has even punched back at his opponents.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The state rivals were both highly motivated after losing their season openers.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Mar. 2026
-
How many locals showed up among the thousands of traveling fans from Australia and England on a day that saw three matches was not immediately clear, but the showcase delivered on the entertainment stakes capped by a cliffhanger between two historic rivals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foes. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
