enemy

enemy, foe denote an individual or body of individuals that is hostile or that manifests hostility to another.

Enemy usually stresses antagonism that arises from a cherished hatred or a desire to harm or destroy, but it may suggest nothing much more than active or evident dislike or a habit of preying upon

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a man with many friends and no enemies

}

{

the anarchist is the enemy of government

}

{

the woodpecker is a natural enemy of insects that infest the bark of trees

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{

let the teacher appear always the ally of the pupil, not his natural enemy— Russell

}

{

time is at once the enemy and the ally of life and of love— Millett

}

Foe, on the other hand, implies active warfare

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he is the foe of all reform measures

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give me the avowed, the erect, the manly foe, bold I can meet,—perhaps may turn his blow!— Canning

}

When the reference is to a nation or group of nations with whom a country is at war, enemy is preferred in general use, foe being used in this sense chiefly in poetry or rhetorical prose

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we have met the enemy, and they are ours— O. H. Perry

}

{

whispering with white lips— "Thefoe! They come!"— Byron

}

Analogous words: *opponent, adversary, antagonist: rival, competitor (see corresponding verbs at RIVAL)

Contrasted words: *friend: ally, *partner, confederate, colleague: adherent, *follower, partisan