a confirmed enemy

USAGE SUMMARY

"a confirmed enemy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone or something that you are certain is an enemy or foe. For example, "The country has a confirmed enemy in its neighbor to the north."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Targeted killing presumes a specific individual target in the course of an armed conflict: someone who by his or her actions, or position in an opposing armed force or organisation, is a confirmed enemy fighter.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

At the company's headquarters, a dry-erase board, known as the Kill Board, listed the number of confirmed enemy kills by platoon.

The New Yorker

--A January, 1973, CIA listing of "confirmed enemy prisons" in Laos, with locations.

Los Angeles Times

I came home wishing she had also taken my brothers and sisters, our nieces and nephews, all our cousins and friends, and our five confirmed enemies.

Los Angeles Times

Our false beliefs about who we were fighting, our dehumanisation of Fallujans, our desire to "see combat" (a cute euphemism) and to get a confirmed kill, and our longing for revenge for lost comrades against a faceless enemy all conspired to create a bloodthirsty and lawless atmosphere.

The Guardian - Opinion

A confirmed conformist.

The New York Times - Magazine

And a confirmed agnostic.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

11.53am BST A confirmed deal!

The Guardian - Sport

"A confirmed bachelor," his sister Lora said.

The New York Times

My friends include a confirmed practical joker.

University of Pennsylvania

"Everyone's a confirmed Ibsenite suddenly".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a confirmed enemy" when you have solid evidence or validation that someone or something is indeed an enemy. Avoid using it based on mere suspicion or conjecture.

Common error

Avoid using "a confirmed enemy" when the situation involves a minor disagreement or simple competition. Reserve this phrase for situations where genuine hostility and opposition have been clearly established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a confirmed enemy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "confirmed" modifies the noun "enemy". It serves to categorize or identify someone or something as an established and certain adversary. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a confirmed enemy" is a phrase used to describe an adversary whose hostile status has been definitively verified. It functions as a noun phrase emphasizing the certainty of the enmity. Ludwig AI validates its proper grammatical usage. While most frequently found in news and media contexts, its usage should be reserved for situations where clear evidence of hostility exists. Alternatives such as "a known adversary" or "a recognized threat" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Ensure that using such strong language is warranted by the situation to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a known adversary

Replaces "enemy" with "adversary" and "confirmed" with "known", suggesting a recognized but potentially less certain foe.

a declared enemy

Indicates the enemy status has been formally announced or acknowledged.

an acknowledged foe

Uses "foe" instead of "enemy" and "acknowledged" instead of "confirmed", softening the tone slightly.

a recognized threat

Shifts the focus from enmity to the potential danger posed.

an identified opponent

Implies the enemy has been pinpointed or singled out.

a verified antagonist

Replaces "enemy" with "antagonist" to denote someone who opposes the protagonist.

a certain rival

Refers to a competitor or someone striving for the same goal.

a definite combatant

Highlights the opposing party as someone involved in active conflict.

an established nemesis

Uses "nemesis" to describe a long-standing and significant enemy.

a sworn rival

Suggests a deep and committed sense of competition and opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "a confirmed enemy" in a sentence?

You can use "a confirmed enemy" to describe someone or something that has been definitively identified as an adversary. For instance, "The intelligence agency identified the spy as "a confirmed enemy" of the state".

What are some alternatives to "a confirmed enemy"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a known adversary", "a declared enemy", or "a recognized threat".

Is it appropriate to use "a confirmed enemy" in a formal setting?

Yes, "a confirmed enemy" can be used in formal settings, particularly when discussing matters of national security, military strategy, or serious legal issues. However, ensure the context warrants such strong language.

What distinguishes "a confirmed enemy" from "a potential enemy"?

"A confirmed enemy" implies certainty and verified evidence of hostile intent or actions. In contrast, "a potential enemy" suggests a possibility of future conflict but lacks definitive proof of current enmity.