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

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

Fresh off a toppling of Kansas City, the Chargers make their second stop on their whirlwind tour of the AFC West to face another familiar foe.

From Los Angeles Times

With Americans increasingly viewing their political foes as enemy combatants, researchers who study extremist violence and event security professionals say Kirk’s killing on Wednesday could mark a turning point in how well-known individuals protect themselves.

From Los Angeles Times

Seven of the previous eight meetings between these AFC West foes were decided by one score, and the Chiefs won six of those.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, these AFC West foes meet on neutral ground to resume what hasn’t been much of a rivalry of late.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adversary 
• antagonist 
• enemy 
• rival