enemy

[en-uh-mee]

noun

plural

enemies 

1. a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another; an adversary or opponent.

   Synonyms: antagonist
   Antonyms: friend

2. an armed foe; an opposing military force.

   The army attacked the enemy at dawn.

   Antonyms: ally

3. a hostile nation or state.

4. a citizen of such a state.

5. enemies, persons, nations, etc., that are hostile to one another.

   Let's make up and stop being enemies.

6. something harmful or prejudicial.

   His unbridled ambition is his worst enemy.

7. the Enemy, the Devil; Satan.

adjective

1. belonging to a hostile power or to any of its nationals.

   enemy property.

2. Obsolete.,  inimical; ill-disposed.

enemy

/ ˈɛnəmɪ /

noun

1. a person hostile or opposed to a policy, cause, person, or group, esp one who actively tries to do damage; opponent

2. 1. an armed adversary; opposing military force

   2. ( as modifier )

      enemy aircraft

3. 1. a hostile nation or people

   2. ( as modifier )

      an enemy alien

4. something that harms or opposes; adversary

   courage is the enemy of failure

Grammar Note

See collective noun.

Other Word Forms

• nonenemy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of enemy¹

First recorded in 1300–1350; Middle English enemi, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin inimicus “unfriendly,” equivalent to in- in- ³ + amicus “friendly, friend”; amicable

Word History and Origins

Origin of enemy¹

C13: from Old French enemi, from Latin inimīcus hostile, from _in- ¹ + amīcus friend

Synonym Study

Enemy, foe refer to a dangerous public or personal adversary. Enemy emphasizes the idea of hostility: to overcome the enemy; a bitter enemy. Foe, a more literary word, may be used interchangeably with enemy, but emphasizes somewhat more the danger to be feared from such a one: deadly foe; arch foe of humankind ( the Devil ).

Example Sentences

They are “enemies of democracy” out to “silence the voices of working New Yorkers.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Huge foreign-policy swings in recent years have confused and weakened allies, damaged complex trading relationships, and created opportunities for enemies to seize advantage in the resulting chaos.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Under the legislation, anyone accused of spying can only be prosecuted if the information they passed on was useful to an enemy.

Read more on BBC

Tseng went more than a decade without winning a tournament as she struggled through injuries, mechanical problems, and the one affliction no golfer would wish on their worst enemy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Somehow, though, he has still managed to ensure that the Department of Justice isn’t leaving any stone unturned in its pursuit of his perceived political enemies.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• adversary 
• agent 
• antagonist 
• attacker www.thesaurus.com
• bandit 
• competitor 
• criminal 
• detractor 
• foe 
• guerrilla 
• invader www.thesaurus.com
• murderer 
• opponent 
• opposition 
• prosecutor 
• rebel 
• rival 
• spy 
• terrorist 
• traitor