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
Instead, Netanyahu, who is seen as a masterful politician by friends and foes alike, is expected to thread the needle.
—
Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Punching serves as the game’s primary verb, allowing DK to just knock out foes, but explore the densely packed terrain by tearing through the earth itself like a primate excavator.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025
Political leaders in both countries found advantage by pointing to an implacable foe at critical moments of domestic vulnerability.
—William Hurst, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2025
The Old Guard 2 (Netflix movie) Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal warriors face a powerful new foe.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for foe
Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Punching serves as the game’s primary verb, allowing DK to just knock out foes, but explore the densely packed terrain by tearing through the earth itself like a primate excavator.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025
Political leaders in both countries found advantage by pointing to an implacable foe at critical moments of domestic vulnerability.
—William Hurst, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2025
The Old Guard 2 (Netflix movie) Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal warriors face a powerful new foe.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for foe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foe
Noun
-
Trump appointed Bondi as attorney general after numerous reports suggested the president wanted a loyalist who would do his bidding and seek retribution against his enemies, after Trump faced pushback in his first term from previous attorneys general like William Barr.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
Still, fun enemy designs – such as one pictured above based on the Hydnellum peckii (bleeding tooth fungus) – already started to come together.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
This machinery radicalizes communities, recruits operatives, launders funds, and targets opponents abroad.—
Roya Boroumand,
Time,
9 July 2025
-
If Green is ready to make an impact as a rookie, the Ravens’ defense will be a handful for opponents.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The same could be said for other states threatened by nuclear-armed rivals.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
In the process, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foe. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share