ˈenəmē, -mi noun
( plural enemies )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English enemi, from Old French enemi, inimi, from Latin inimicus, from in- not + amicus friend — more at un- , amiable
1. : one that seeks the injury, overthrow, or failure of a person or thing to which he is opposed : adversary , opponent
the two brothers were political enemies
2. : something injurious, harmful, or deadly
drink was his greatest enemy
3.
a. : a military foe
the enemy was driven off
meet the enemy on equal terms
— sometimes plural in constr.
the enemy were in large force
b. : a hostile unit, ship, tank, or aircraft
after a running battle the enemy was sunk by a direct hit at 1000 yards
c. plural enemy : a member of a hostile force
30 to 40 enemy engaged a friendly patrol — New York Times
Synonyms:
enemy and foe both signify a thing, person, or group that is hostile to one. enemy usually stresses antagonism manifest in a desire to harm or destroy although it may suggest only an active dislike or habit of preying upon
to amass adequate air power to deter our enemies from immediate attack
let the teacher appear always the ally of the pupil, not his natural enemy — Bertrand Russell
time is at once the enemy and the ally of life and of love — F.B.Millett
the mortal enemies of man are … the aspects of the physical world that limit or challenge his control — W.C.Allee
germ-bearing insects and other enemies of mankind
foe generally implies active warfare, usually figurative
the intransigent foe of hypocrisy and false standards — Gene Baro
laughter is by no means a foe of reason — H.A.Overstreet
the representative from Michigan has a reputation as a foe of waste, particularly in the armed services — Current Biography
In application to an opponent in war, enemy is the common word and foe is chiefly poetic or rhetorical
he had fresh troops and superior numbers and forced the enemy back until they abandoned the field — C.H.Lanza
donning his sword and buckler to fight the foe