enemy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enemy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person or group that is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something. Example: "In the game, players must work together to defeat their common enemy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps even more worrying to Mr. Assad, his military has come to rely more heavily on equipment designed for a major battle with a foreign enemy, namely Israel, rather than a protracted civil conflict with his own people.

The New York Times

"They are our enemy.

The New York Times

Whether or not the EPA's own surveys can be trusted, the move by Republicans to denounce water regulation and pitch it as the enemy of the foundational American ideal of private property might not be a slam-dunk for the American right – even among their core supporters.

The Guardian

And it is the Saudis who now, in improbable alliance with Binyamin Netanyahu's Israel, lobby most forcefully against any American nuclear deal, or broader western rapprochement, with Shia Iran, their sworn enemy.

The Guardian

Now, after the collapse of communism, the Christian-conservative government paints as its main enemy the multicultural consumerist liberal democracy for which today's western Europe stands.

The Guardian

They point to corrupt politicians and the lobbyists and business people who corrupt them, and give that enemy a name – "la casta", loosely translated, "the establishment".

The Guardian

On a clear, moonlight night 150 years ago, the hand-cranked Confederate submarine HL Hunley glided out over glassy seas off South Carolina, sailing into history as the first submarine ever to sink an enemy warship.

The Guardian

The Armenians were branded as an enemy within by the Ottoman government, which used the cover of the first world war to systematically dispose of more than 1 million people, forcing great columns of humanity to march off into the Syrian desert to die of heat, starvation and disease.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in a scene that felt more Office Space than Black Hawk Down, he rose after a moment, stuck his rifle around the corner and fired blindly at an enemy unseen.

The Guardian - Opinion

"In the case of Assad, our enemy's enemy is a greater enemy," Rapp said.

The Guardian

In the Middle East, as the British foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, said last week, my enemy's enemy is not always my friend.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "enemy", consider the emotional weight it carries. Opt for milder terms like "opponent" or "rival" in less serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "enemy" in everyday disagreements or minor conflicts. This can sound overly dramatic and inappropriate. Reserve it for situations involving genuine hostility or opposition.

Linguistic Context

The word "enemy" functions primarily as a noun, denoting an individual, group, or entity that is hostile or antagonistic towards another. This aligns with Ludwig AI's analysis, which identifies the word as grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "enemy" is a common noun used to describe someone or something that is hostile or antagonistic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, primarily in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "adversary" or "opponent" exist, "enemy" carries a stronger connotation of hostility. When using "enemy", be mindful of the emotional impact and consider whether a less intense term is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Adversary

A more formal term for an opponent.

Foe

A more archaic and literary term for enemy.

Opponent

Someone who competes against or opposes another in a contest or debate.

Rival

Someone competing for the same objective or superiority.

Antagonist

A character or force that opposes the protagonist.

Combatant

A person or group engaged in fighting during a war.

Challenger

Someone who disputes or contests something.

Assailant

A person who physically attacks another.

Nemesis

A long-standing rival or archenemy.

Adversary in conflict

Adds context of conflict.

FAQs

How to use "enemy" in a sentence?

You can use "enemy" to refer to someone who is hostile to someone else, such as "He made a lot of enemies after reducing the working hours in his department" or to a hostile nation, like "Rally together against a common enemy".

What can I say instead of "enemy"?

You can use alternatives like "adversary", "foe", or "opponent" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "enemy" or "opponent"?

Both "enemy" and "opponent" are correct, but they have different connotations. "Enemy" implies hostility, while "opponent" suggests competition or disagreement without necessarily implying hatred.

What's the difference between "enemy" and "rival"?

"Enemy" suggests a hostile relationship, while "rival" typically indicates competition for the same goal or position. A "rival" might not be an enemy, but an enemy is almost always a rival in some sense.