frenemy

[ fren-uh-mee ]

/ ˈfrɛn ə mi /

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noun

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.

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Sometimes frien·e·my .

Origin of frenemy

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

Words nearby frenemy

French window, French windows, Frenchwoman, Frenchy, Freneau, frenemy, Frenet formula, frenetic, Frenkel defect, frenulum, frenum

How to use frenemy in a sentence

Ugh, when your Mom revealed one of your childhood incidents to your best frenemy.
‘Unfortunately True Stories’ will tug at your soul|Terri Schlichenmeyer|March 25, 2022|Washington Blade
Cady Heron, the frenemy responsible for her misguided nutritional plan, replies in the affirmative.
Is butter a carb?|Claire Maldarelli|August 29, 2021|Popular-Science
Muting sidesteps the awkwardness of a full unfriending, and leaves the door open so you can still reach out to your frenemy.
How to ignore people on social media without blocking or unfollowing them|empire|July 21, 2021|Popular-Science
Everyone’s a frenemy now, and everyone’s in everyone else’s business.
‘This isn’t the year to take baby steps’: PHD U.S. CEO Catherine Sullivan discusses media spending heading into 2H 2021|Michael Bürgi|May 6, 2021|Digiday

Without its Korean frenemy, the company will have to switch to a new megasupplier.
Here’s Why Apple and Samsung Are Breaking Up|Alex Klein|December 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This episode illuminates the omnipresent peril the current president faces in having such a high-profile, high-octane frenemy.
Bill Clinton: Two-Edged Sword for President Obama|Michelle Cottle|June 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
"From far away, she's OK," as Clueless' Cher (Alicia Silverstone) famously explains of her frenemy, Amber.
The Real Jersey Dictionary, Vol. 3|Jaimie Etkin|March 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I don't really count going to 1Oak as being a socialite," sniffs a woman who refers to Snowdon-Jones as her "frenemy.
Socialite, Reality Star—or Thief?|Peter Davis|February 24, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Gwyneth had a frenemy once and was troubled at the joy she felt when this person suffered a terrible public humiliation.
My Life As Gwyneth|Rebecca Dana|September 10, 2009|DAILY BEAST