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

The military, he declared, should be used to fight “the enemy within” — and America’s “inner cities” should be used for “training grounds.”

From Salon

If he cannot to do that, it will not be enough for him to point to the very real damage Israel has inflicted on its enemies in Lebanon and Iran in the last two years.

From BBC

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

From BBC

The George Medal is Britain's second-highest civilian bravery award after the George Cross, and is given for "conspicuous gallantry not in the presence of the enemy".

From BBC

The Uzbek despot distinguished himself by “boiling his enemies, slaughtering his poverty-stricken people when they protest, and conscripting armies of children for slave labour,” according to The Guardian.

From 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