foe

noun

ˈfō How to pronounce foe (audio)
Definition of foenext
1
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another are you friend or foe?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opponent
one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict this Saturday our team will go up against our longtime foes in a game that will determine the champion of the conference

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of foe Two historic Eastern Conference foes tipping off a new season, with the presumption of a marquee matchup to follow the same evening, would be a standard move for the league. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Summer, though, can be a foe of glass hair hopefuls—the combination of sun, salt, chlorine, and humidity all contribute to hair becoming drier and frizzier, a concoction for dull, lackluster lengths. — Selvaggia Germani, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026 Democrats have accused Blanche of prioritizing his loyalty to Trump above all else through investigations against Trump foes such as former FBI Director James Comey and a radical reshaping of the department. — Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026 The Tigers and Hornets were district foes in three cycles since 2001, most recently with four 5A games in a three-year span (2017-19). — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foe
  1. enemy
  2. opponent
  3. rival
Noun
  • The two started off as enemies as Judy joined the Zootopia Police Department, but then put aside their differences to solve a mystery in the animal city.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Inspired by true events, her feature film debut tells the dark story of a small northeastern German village at the end of WWII, when the Nazi regime gave its citizens the order to leave nothing alive for the enemy to find.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • Oklahoma, where Daniels played last season, shared several common opponents with LSU, where Perkins spent his four-year college career.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The leader of anti-immigration party Reform UK is running in an election as the incumbent favorite, and his main opponent is a man dressed as a garbage can.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of opponent
Noun
  • But keeping their promotion rivals at bay most definitely was, Parkinson’s men conceding 24 times in those dozen games, 16 of which came on Welsh soil.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Chinese rivals Baidu Apollo Go and WeRide, meanwhile, are ramping up plans and tests for operating autonomous rides in Europe.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of rival

Browse Nearby Words

fodder
foe
foes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foe. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on foe

Nglish: Translation of foe for Spanish Speakers

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