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
So, future Big 12 foes, pick your poison.
—
Brendan Marks, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2026
California’s trial attorneys and Uber — longtime courtroom foes — are officially bringing their fight to the November ballot.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Pittsburgh goes to Milwaukee on Friday night for the first of 10 consecutive games against NL Central foes.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
His role as an agent provides him with real-time insight into the revenue-sharing strategies of Washington’s conference foes, just as his role as a UW staffer similarly affords access that could, even indirectly, advantage his agency’s clients.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Trump was also reportedly frustrated by Bondi's pace of prosecutions against his political foes, despite the Justice Department launching investigations or charging numerous prominent Democrats, anti-Trump Republicans and other political foes on her watch.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Trump allies — and foes — unite to oppose a blockbuster television merger.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
The Avs outscored foes 100-42 when MacKinnon was on the ice at 5-on-5 this year.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
Implicit in that oath is to defend the country from foes, whether external or internal.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026
Brendan Marks, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2026
California’s trial attorneys and Uber — longtime courtroom foes — are officially bringing their fight to the November ballot.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Pittsburgh goes to Milwaukee on Friday night for the first of 10 consecutive games against NL Central foes.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
His role as an agent provides him with real-time insight into the revenue-sharing strategies of Washington’s conference foes, just as his role as a UW staffer similarly affords access that could, even indirectly, advantage his agency’s clients.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Trump was also reportedly frustrated by Bondi's pace of prosecutions against his political foes, despite the Justice Department launching investigations or charging numerous prominent Democrats, anti-Trump Republicans and other political foes on her watch.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Trump allies — and foes — unite to oppose a blockbuster television merger.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
The Avs outscored foes 100-42 when MacKinnon was on the ice at 5-on-5 this year.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
Implicit in that oath is to defend the country from foes, whether external or internal.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foes
Noun
-
In large part because the only feeling more satisfying than defeating your enemies is that of defeating your friends.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Nematodes and aphids, the two enemies of summer gardens, will stay away from your lettuce thanks to marigolds, but there's one more insect benefit.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For some observers, the lesson from Hungary is that Netanyahu’s opponents should look to his own camp for a candidate to unseat him.—
Deborah Danan,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
-
On the day of Lincoln’s election, the Wide Awakes patrolled polling places under the pretense of protecting democracy, while opponents viewed it as voter intimidation.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Liverpool would wriggle their way back to the top of the table by March, only for the campaign to fall apart after five defeats in seven matches, a run that allowed Merseyside rivals Everton to win the league for the second time in three seasons.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Colombian presidential candidate Iván Cepeda consolidated his lead in the most recent poll and would defeat both conservative rivals in a runoff scenario, five weeks ahead of the vote.—
Oscar Medina,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foes. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
