former enemy

USAGE SUMMARY

"former enemy" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something that used to be an enemy or adversary, but is no longer. For example: "After years of conflict, the two countries became former enemies and eventually allies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Their former enemy has become an ally.

The Guardian

Now Burnitz is teammates with a former enemy.

The New York Times - Sports

There Warwick was reconciled with his former enemy, Margaret of Anjou, Henry VI's wife.

Encyclopedia Britannica

GEORGE: Geoff Johns has turned Sinestro, Green Lantern's former enemy, into a three-dimensional character.

The New York Times

However, Unur was now forced to seek the aid of his former enemy to thwart them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"They're looking to the United States in a very positive way," not as former enemy.

The New York Times

Still, Mr. Salzman said he never felt any animosity as a citizen of Vietnam's former enemy.

The New York Times

The two former enemy armies fought side by side without massacring each other.

The New York Times

His former enemy is now his government, and frankly, he's not coping well.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The people on Kinmen have to very quickly adjust to the conversion of their former enemy into their economic lifeline".

The New York Times

It could one day return, as it has with its former enemy, Vietnam, to a relationship of mutually assured dignity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about reconciliation or alliances, use "former enemy" to highlight the transformation and progress made between previously conflicting parties.

Common error

Avoid using "former enemy" when describing simple disagreements or competitions. Reserve it for situations involving genuine hostility or conflict to maintain the term's impact and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former enemy" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It provides descriptive information about the nature of the noun it modifies, indicating a past state of antagonism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "former enemy" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that serves to describe a transformation from a state of hostility to a more neutral or cooperative relationship. Ludwig AI validates this assessment with numerous examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. The phrase is most commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias and scientific publications. While the term implies a previous state of strong antagonism, it's important to avoid overusing it in simple competitive scenarios where words like "rival" or "opponent" would be more appropriate. By understanding the nuances of "former enemy", writers can accurately and effectively convey shifts in relationships and promote clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

former foe

This alternative is a more concise and slightly less formal synonym.

past adversary

This alternative is a more formal and emphasizes the adversarial relationship.

previous antagonist

This alternative is a more descriptive and emphasizes the antagonistic role.

erstwhile opponent

This alternative is more formal and literary, suggesting a past opposition.

one-time rival

This alternative emphasizes a competitive relationship that has ended.

bygone adversary

This alternative emphasizes that the adversarial relationship belongs to the past.

ex-enemy

This alternative is a shorter, less formal version.

once-hostile party

This alternative is more neutral and emphasizes the past hostility.

previous combatant

This alternative highlights a past armed conflict.

old rival

This alternative is less formal and emphasizes long-standing rivalry.

FAQs

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

You can use "former enemy" to describe someone or something that was previously an enemy but is no longer. For example, "The two countries, once bitter adversaries, are now working together as allies. They are "former enemies" turned partners".

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

"Former enemy" implies a history of genuine hostility or conflict, while "old rival" suggests a long-standing competition. The former carries a heavier connotation of past animosity.

What can I say instead of "former enemy"?

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

Is it appropriate to use "former enemy" in a business context?

While "former enemy" is more common in political or historical contexts, it can be used in a business context to describe a company that was previously a major competitor but is now a partner or has been acquired. However, consider using less charged terms like "previous competitor" in most business situations.