1
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
are you friend or foe?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
And frankly, the friends have been worse than the foes in many cases.
—
NBC news, 13 July 2025
Fritz played exceedingly well, conjuring a quality with his neon-orange racket frame that would have been good enough to overcome almost any foe on grass.
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
At the same time, Trump touts his Golden Dome missile shield, meant to protect the homeland and give America greater freedom of action against its foes.
—Hal Brands, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
In the story, under assault by the Legion of Super-Villains and Lex Luthor (who was forcibly combined with longtime Superman foe Brainiac), Krypto takes on an irradiated villain, the Kryptonite Man.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for foe
NBC news, 13 July 2025
Fritz played exceedingly well, conjuring a quality with his neon-orange racket frame that would have been good enough to overcome almost any foe on grass.
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
At the same time, Trump touts his Golden Dome missile shield, meant to protect the homeland and give America greater freedom of action against its foes.
—Hal Brands, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
In the story, under assault by the Legion of Super-Villains and Lex Luthor (who was forcibly combined with longtime Superman foe Brainiac), Krypto takes on an irradiated villain, the Kryptonite Man.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for foe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foe
Noun
-
They are professedly based on hunches that the enemy will attack, occupy or conquer at some future time unless the enemy is obliterated.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
24 July 2025
-
Synthetic data becomes a strategic blind spot by creating sameness, and sameness is the enemy of competitive advantage.—
Jēnna Reese,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
His ability to box out an opponent for a rebound is something he’s carried to the football field with jump balls.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The Riverside sheriff had two months’ head start against his GOP opponent, former Fox News host Steve Hilton, who entered the race in April and raised more than $1.5 million.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In the process, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
-
The same could be said for other states threatened by nuclear-armed rivals.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foe. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share