frenemy

Sometimes frien·e·my

[fren-uh-mee]

noun

1. Informal.,  a person or group that is friendly toward another because the relationship brings benefits, but harbors feelings of resentment or rivalry.

   Clearly, turning the competition into frenemies is good for your business.

Word History and Origins

Origin of frenemy¹

First recorded in 1950-55; fr(iend) + enemy

Example Sentences

The two longtime frenemies are both in the mix of possible 2028 contestants.

From Los Angeles Times

While explaining that the paper used to occupy the whole building, employing over 1000 people, our frenemy Ken remarks, “That’s absolutely insane, if I do say so myself,” saucing each word with condescension.

From Salon

Very few people knew as much as we did, which made Stanleg and me famous frenemies.

From Los Angeles Times

To make matters worse, as he sat cooling his heels in the 51st state, his dear frenemy Bibi Netanyahu was bestriding the world like a colossus due to his assault on Iran.

From Salon

Leave it to Kelly Reichardt, who turned Michelle Williams into a seething sculptor with frenemy issues in “Showing Up,” to make the gentlest, most self-deprecating heist movie imaginable.

From Los Angeles Times