made numerous enemies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made numerous enemies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has caused conflict or animosity with many individuals or groups. Example: "His controversial decisions during his tenure as CEO made numerous enemies among the staff and stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mr. Reich-Ranicki discovered or promoted many talents, and made numerous enemies.

The New York Times

An impatient man who acted with dispatch and reluctantly concerned himself with administrative details, he made numerous enemies, who brought about his imprisonment in 1563.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Sanford is regarded as a political lone wolf and has made numerous enemies even within his own party, which controls both houses of the state legislature.

The New York Times

Over the years, as he ascended as a deal maker and agent, he made numerous enemies in Hollywood, many of them unforgiving.

The New York Times

Mr. Ovitz has lost his powerful perch, at least for the moment, and over the years he has made numerous enemies who are almost eager to see him fail.

The New York Times

The author, who died last month at the age of 82, portrays the outsize Victorian explorer-scholar as a brilliant and courageous figure who made numerous enemies both at home and abroad.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"It is true that Richard Nixon made numerous mistakes and gave his enemies a sword," Stone told the John Martin's crowd.

Vice

Similarly, there has been a concomitant effort to marginalize Mr. Trump as a man who will make numerous new enemies for the US in the world due to his "intolerant" attitude toward those of the Muslim faith.

Huffington Post

Kelly has made numerous trips to Jeannette.

The New York Times - Sports

Tonight his defenders made numerous mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

He made numerous contributions to classical scholarship.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "made numerous enemies", consider the context and whether a more specific term, such as "adversaries" or "detractors", would provide greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "made numerous enemies" in situations where the conflict is minor or the opposition is not significant. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made numerous enemies" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the result of someone's actions or character traits. Ludwig confirms that the phrase follows standard English grammar. The examples show it's used to describe individuals in various fields who have created opposition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

18%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made numerous enemies" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe someone whose actions or character has led to significant opposition. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, it is also found in Encyclopedias and Wiki sources. When using "made numerous enemies", consider whether a more specific alternative like "created many adversaries" or "gained a lot of foes" would be more appropriate. However, avoid overusing it in overly dramatic scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

created many adversaries

Replaces "made" with "created" and "enemies" with "adversaries", focusing on the act of creating opposition.

gained a lot of foes

Uses "gained" instead of "made" and "foes" for "enemies", indicating acquisition of opposition.

earned a multitude of detractors

Emphasizes the earning of opposition through actions, using "detractors" for "enemies".

provoked considerable animosity

Shifts focus to the animosity provoked rather than directly stating the creation of enemies.

antagonized many people

Focuses on the act of antagonizing or irritating people, leading to them becoming enemies.

incited widespread opposition

Highlights the incitement of opposition, suggesting a more active role in creating enemies.

fostered significant resentment

Indicates the fostering or cultivation of resentment, which can lead to the creation of enemies.

attracted substantial hostility

Focuses on attracting or drawing hostility, implying that actions led to the formation of enemies.

stirred up considerable conflict

Highlights the stirring up of conflict, suggesting a more active role in causing animosity and thus, enemies.

generated substantial antagonism

Emphasizes the generation of antagonism, indicating the production of opposition.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "made numerous enemies"?

Saying someone "made numerous enemies" means that their actions or behavior have caused them to have many people who dislike, oppose, or are hostile towards them.

What are some alternatives to saying "made numerous enemies"?

Some alternatives include "created many adversaries", "gained a lot of foes", or "antagonized many people", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "made many enemies" or "made numerous enemies"?

Both "made many enemies" and "made numerous enemies" are grammatically correct. "Numerous" emphasizes a larger quantity, but "many" is often sufficient and can sound less formal.

What kind of person typically "makes numerous enemies"?

A person who "makes numerous enemies" is often someone who is uncompromising, assertive, or willing to challenge the status quo. Their actions may lead to opposition, even if they are effective.