FOES Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

foes

noun

plural of foe

as in enemies

one that is hostile toward another are you friend or foe?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Ward is 3-19 as a starting quarterback, which includes a 0-7 mark against AFC South foes, and is staring another loss to a divisional rival in the face with the Titans traveling to Indianapolis to take on the Colts on Sunday. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Trying to find her brother, Prue — aided by Curtis, who reveals previously unseen pluck and ingenuity — encounters a variety of colorful animal and human characters as both friends and foes. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026 Colorado has outscored its foes 7-1 at even strength when Svechkov is on the ice. — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026 Familiar foes The Dodgers and Brewers are meeting in the postseason for the fourth time — all since 2018. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 Stocks are under pressure from the familiar foes of higher oil prices and bond yields. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026 Troy has won six straight games against the Golden Eagles dating to the 2021 season, including all five as Sun Belt foes. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 One positive, although 0-3, is that the Buccaneers remain within striking distance of divisional foes Atlanta, the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints (all 1-2). — Mike Jones, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 But the world might not want another one, and both human foes and spiritual enemies are hunting her. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for foes

Noun

And strength to resist reducing complex human challenges to slogans, enemies, or simple answers.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Candidates should disclose who funds their campaigns, correct mistakes promptly, participate in substantive public forums and address disagreements without treating neighbors as enemies.

— Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of enemies

Noun

Since then, Netanyahu has been criticized by opponents for failing to deliver on his promise of restoring regional security.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
That's two in a row for the Longhorns to unranked opponents as Florida went into Austin on Saturday and left with a 27-24 win.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of opponents

Noun

In the race to build the most capable AI, the perception of which lab is ahead can change several times in a few months, as each major release gives rivals a new standard to meet.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Tim Berners-Lee helped put the web into the public domain and later founded the World Wide Web Consortium, where rivals could agree on standards.

— Bob Pearson, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of rivals

Browse Nearby Words

foe

foes

fog

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Foes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foes. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of foes

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes