frenemy

American  

[fren-uh-mee] / ˈfrɛn ə mi /

Sometimes frienemy

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.

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Etymology

Origin of frenemy

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

Example Sentences

By contrast, the frequently angry and bitter Saul at least has the kind of shadings that make him a worthy frenemy, and “David” could have mined more conflict from the relationship between the two.

From The Wall Street Journal

She was famously the frenemy that fuelled Taylor Swift's diatribe Bad Blood.

From BBC

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