foe

¹

[foh]

noun

1. a person who feels enmity, hatred, or malice toward another; enemy.

   a bitter foe.

   Synonyms: antagonist, opponent
   Antonyms: friend

2. a military enemy; hostile army.

   Antonyms: friend

3. a person belonging to a hostile army or nation.

   Synonyms: antagonist, opponent
   Antonyms: friend

4. an opponent in a game or contest; adversary.

   a political foe.

   Synonyms: antagonist, opponent

5. a person who is opposed in feeling, principle, etc., to something.

   a foe to progress in civil rights.

   Synonyms: antagonist, opponent

6. a thing that is harmful to or destructive of something.

   Sloth is the foe of health.

F.O.E.

²

abbreviation

1. Fraternal Order of Eagles.

FoE

¹

abbreviation

1. Friends of the Earth

foe

²

/ fəʊ /

noun

1. formal,  another word for enemy

Word History and Origins

Origin of foe¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English foo, Old English fāh “hostile,” gefāh “enemy”; cognate with Old High German gifēh “at war”; feud ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of foe¹

Old English fāh hostile; related to Old High German fēhan to hate, Old Norse feikn dreadful; see _feud ¹

Synonym Study

See enemy.

Example Sentences

Al-Astal, who considers himself a longtime foe of Hamas, is unapologetic in his choices, which he sees as essential in a post-Hamas Gaza.

From Los Angeles Times

After reaching a comfortable cruising altitude with victories over three consecutive AFC West foes, the team is headed for a patch of severe turbulence.

From Los Angeles Times

In both songs, Swift is unapologetically petty, offering her foes a metaphorical bouquet of flowers thick with thorns.

From Los Angeles Times

His track record has earned the respect of friends and foes.

From Los Angeles Times

Time and again, history’s advance has been imagined to depend on silencing or destroying a single figure – the rival who becomes the ultimate, despicable foe.

From Salon

Related Words

• adversary 
• antagonist 
• enemy 
• rival