1
as in enemies
one that is hostile toward another
are you friend or foe?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opponents
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 foes
In the horror sequel, Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail return to face new foes as well the old murderous animatronic animals of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
The teams are potential first-round playoff foes, depending on how high the 10th-place Hornets can climb in the conference standings.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The hard fact, however, is that California’s economy isn’t doing so well these days, and it cannot be dismissed, as Newsom often does, as something dreamed up by political foes.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
But the immediate aftermath of the hit sent an important message to the Lightning, and future foes, about this Wild team.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
Big Ten rivals Nebraska and Iowa have budgets separated by just $781,000, while Sweet 16 foes Michigan and Alabama have the smallest spending gap of $411,000.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2026
In his essay, Halifax wasn’t telling statesmen how to crush their foes.
—David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Hegseth frequently invokes his evangelical faith as head of the armed forces, depicting a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes with military might.
—Tiffany Stanley, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
There’s always a chance that Fetterman’s prospective foes get talked down from the ledge.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
The teams are potential first-round playoff foes, depending on how high the 10th-place Hornets can climb in the conference standings.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The hard fact, however, is that California’s economy isn’t doing so well these days, and it cannot be dismissed, as Newsom often does, as something dreamed up by political foes.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
But the immediate aftermath of the hit sent an important message to the Lightning, and future foes, about this Wild team.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
Big Ten rivals Nebraska and Iowa have budgets separated by just $781,000, while Sweet 16 foes Michigan and Alabama have the smallest spending gap of $411,000.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2026
In his essay, Halifax wasn’t telling statesmen how to crush their foes.
—David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Hegseth frequently invokes his evangelical faith as head of the armed forces, depicting a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes with military might.
—Tiffany Stanley, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
There’s always a chance that Fetterman’s prospective foes get talked down from the ledge.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foes
Noun
-
These flowers support insects with small mouthparts, including parasitoid wasps, small native bees, lacewings, and syrphid flies – all excellent natural enemies of cucumber pests and a few that also provide pollination.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Bondi's replacement will have to answer for much bigger changes at the traditionally apolitical Justice Department, which for the first time in recent history has actively pursued investigations into the president's political enemies under Bondi's leadership.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The decision drew immediate fire from El-Sayed's primary opponents and national Democratic figures, forcing a rare public reckoning over how far the party should go to recapture young men who abandoned it in record numbers in 2024.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Whoever wins the primary will likely win the November general election, and McAdams faces a half-dozen Democratic opponents.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Dublin congressman told KRON that the White House hopes to discredit him in the race as a frequent critic and to boost the chances of his Republican rivals.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But, despite the lightning speed at which the Chinese AI industry is moving, it’s still seen to be playing catch-up with its American rivals.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foes. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
