Definitions and Examples of enemy, foe, opponent
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
A person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.
Example
The two countries have been at war for years, and they consider each other enemies.
An enemy or opponent.
Example
The superhero had to fight his arch-foe to save the city from destruction.
A person who competes against another in a contest, game, or argument.
Example
The politician's main opponent in the election was a popular TV personality.
Key Differences: enemy vs foe vs opponent
- 1Enemy is a strong term that describes an active hostility towards someone or something.
- 2Foe is a more literary term that means an enemy or adversary.
- 3Opponent is a neutral term that describes someone who competes against another in a contest, game, or argument.
Effective Usage of enemy, foe, opponent
- 1Politics: Use opponent to describe a political rival in an election or debate.
- 2Literature: Use foe to describe an antagonist in a story or novel.
- 3Military: Use enemy to describe a hostile force in a conflict or war.
Remember this!
The antonyms have distinct nuances: Enemy conveys active hostility, foe is a more literary term for an enemy, and opponent is a neutral term for someone who competes against another. Use these words in different contexts such as politics, literature, and military to convey the appropriate meaning.
