View synonyms for public enemy

public enemy

noun

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.
a nation or government with which one's own is at war.

public enemy

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

First recorded in 1750–60

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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