enemy

American  

[en-uh-mee] / ˈɛn ə mi /

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.

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adjective

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

   enemy property.

2. Obsolete. inimical; ill-disposed.

enemy British  

/ 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

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Grammar

See collective noun.

Related Words

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 ).

Other Word Forms

• nonenemy noun

Etymology

Origin of enemy

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

Example Sentences

Flight crew then start an assessment -- figuring out where they are, whether it is behind enemy lines, where they can hide, and how they can communicate.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called the act a sign of moral collapse by “an enemy in disarray,” stating that such actions will not compel Iranians to surrender.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The enemy will likely take his words seriously and prepare to stave off his threats.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Electronic-warfare teams, which jam enemy communications, have come ashore—and are growing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

From then on, both sides used aircraft to observe enemy troop movements, direct artillery fire, and photograph enemy lines.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

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