public enemy

noun

1. a person or thing considered a danger or menace to the public, especially a wanted criminal widely sought by the F.B.I. and local police forces.
2. a nation or government with which one's own is at war.

public enemy

noun

1. a notorious person, such as a criminal, who is regarded as a menace to the public

Word History and Origins

Origin of public enemy¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

In his usual dark suit and striped tie, speaking comfortably from notes, the president branded Americans’ rising tide of drug abuse “public enemy number one.”

From Washington Post

In other words, you can be a public enemy for bad conduct but it’s often the receipts that do you in.

From TIme

In 1971, President Richard Nixon declared drugs to be “public enemy number one” and launched a “war on drugs” that continues today.

From No Straight News

Scott, who died Sunday at 49, could go from evoking a Baptist preacher to quoting Public Enemy.

From The Daily Beast

Independent Greg Orman is public enemy number one to Republicans today because he could upset their senate math toward a majority.

From The Daily Beast

The Chicago Crime Commission declared him Public Enemy No. 1, declaring that he was a bigger menace than Al Capone had ever been.

From The Daily Beast

National initiatives on drug abuse began with Richard Nixon, when he declared drug abuse “Public Enemy Number One.”

From The Daily Beast

As First Lady, Hillary Clinton singled them out as public enemy number one in her failed bid to legislate health care reform.

From The Daily Beast

He insisted that Severus should be declared a public enemy by the senate.

From Project Gutenberg

Forest fires are now rightfully looked upon as a public enemy rather than a private menace.

From Project Gutenberg

They at once declared Napoleon a public enemy, and began preparations for launching enormous hosts against him.

From Project Gutenberg

Gaveston was captured in Scarborough Castle, and executed as a public enemy on 19th June, 1312.

From Project Gutenberg

So far as the necessities of war demand, a belligerent may make use of public enemy buildings for all kinds of purposes.

From Project Gutenberg