Synonyms: enemy, rival, opponent, adversary More Synonyms of foe
foe in British English
(fəʊ)
noun
formal or literary another word for enemy
Word origin
Old English fāh hostile; related to Old High German fēhan to hate, Old Norse feikn dreadful; see feud1
FoE in British English
or FOE
abbreviation for
Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth in British English
noun
(functioning as singular or plural)
an organization of environmentalists and conservationists whose aim is to promote the sustainable use of the earth's resources
Abbreviations: FoE, FOE
FOE in American English
Fraternal Order of Eagles
foe in American English
(foʊ)
noun
UNRESOLVED CROSS REF (in all senses)
Word origin
ME fo, ifo < OE fah, hostile, (ge)fah, enemy, akin to OHG gefēh, at feud, hostile: for IE base see feud1
Examples of 'foe' in a sentence
foe
This meeting with his oldest and fiercest foe seems to have injected adrenaline into his veins.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Who goes there, friend or foe?
The Sun (2016)
It is why the wounded who leave the field on stretchers invariably receive consoling applause from all quarters, friend and foe.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Her complex relationships with these two are the core of her earlier life, as they were to become not just political foes but love rivals.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But the prospect of facing their old foes will certainly be a strong incentive.
The Sun (2012)
The issue divides friend and foe alike.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This may be in part why both friends and foes say that he becomes easily riled.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He had no foes other than political ones.
The Sun (2015)
He has a political message to send to friends and foes alike.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
More usefully the numbers alert drivers to friend or foe and prepare them for trouble.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He faced formidable foes and could count on few allies, at least for very long.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But neither quite commands the same affection, from friend and foe alike.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
All political parties must send the right signals - to friend and foe alike.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He seemed a bit rusty but then perhaps he has forgotten what a formidable foe the PM can be.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
That's worry: a formidable foe.
Christianity Today (2000)
Political friends and foes alike tried, in vain, to console him.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We are cheered by parties acting in the national interest and heartened by former political foes seeking common ground, rounding off the sharper edges of dogma.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
A You're facing a formidable foe.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
foe
British English: foe NOUN
Someone's foe is their enemy.
But he soon discovers that his old foe may be leading him into a trap.
American English: foe
Brazilian Portuguese: inimigo
Chinese: 敌人
European Spanish: enemigo
French: ennemi
German: Feind
Italian: nemico
Japanese: 敵
Korean: 원수
European Portuguese: inimigo
Latin American Spanish: enemigo
Chinese translation of 'foe'
foe
(fəu) (liter)
n(c)
敌(敵)人 (dírén) (个(個), gè)
(noun)
Definition
an enemy
(formal, literary)
support any friend, oppose any foe
Synonyms
enemy
His enemies were quick to take advantage of his weakness.
rival
He finished two seconds ahead of his rival.
opponent
Mrs Kennedy's opponent in the leadership contest
adversary
His political adversaries were creating trouble for him.
antagonist
He had never previously lost to his antagonist.
foeman (archaic)
Opposites
friend
,
partner
, ally,
companion
,
comrade
, confederate,
main man (slang, mainly US)
,
cobber (Australian, New Zealand, old-fashioned, informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adversary
Definition
an opponent in a fight, disagreement, or sporting contest
His political adversaries were creating trouble for him.
Synonyms
opponent,
rival,
opposer,
enemy,
competitor,
foe (formal, literary),
contestant,
antagonist
in the sense of antagonist
Definition
an opponent or adversary
He had never previously lost to his antagonist.
Synonyms
opponent,
rival,
opposer,
enemy,
competitor,
contender,
foe (formal, literary),
adversary
in the sense of opponent
Definition
a person who opposes another in a contest, battle, or argument
Mrs Kennedy's opponent in the leadership contest
Synonyms
adversary,
rival,
enemy,
the opposition,
competitor,
challenger,
foe (formal, literary),
contestant,
antagonist
Nearby words of
foe
fob something off on someone
focus
fodder
foe
fog
fogey
foggy
Synonyms of 'foe'
foe
Explore 'foe' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of rival
Definition
a person or group that competes with another for the same object or in the same field