Foe: meaning, definitions and examples

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foe

[ fəʊ ]

^{Context #1}

enemy

A person who feels enmity, hatred, or malice toward another; an enemy.

Synonyms

adversary, enemy, opponent

Examples of usage

He saw his former friend as a bitter foe.
She considered him as her mortal foe.
The two nations have been foes for centuries.

^{Context #2}

opponent

A person who is opposed to, struggles against, or competes with another; opponent; adversary.

Synonyms

adversary, competitor, rival

Examples of usage

She faced her political foe in a debate.
The team will have to defeat their strongest foe to win the championship.

^{Context #3}

antagonist

A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.

Synonyms

adversary, enemy, opponent

Examples of usage

The antagonist in the novel was a formidable foe for the protagonist.
He saw her as his main antagonist in the company.

Translations

Translations of the word "foe" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inimigo

🇮🇳 दुश्मन

🇩🇪 Feind

🇮🇩 musuh

🇺🇦 ворог

🇵🇱 wróg

🇯🇵 敵 (てき)

🇫🇷 ennemi

🇪🇸 enemigo

🇹🇷 düşman

🇰🇷 적 (jeok)

🇸🇦 عدو

🇨🇿 nepřítel

🇸🇰 nepriateľ

🇨🇳 敌人 (dírén)

🇸🇮 sovražnik

🇮🇸 óvinur

🇰🇿 жау

🇬🇪 მტერი

🇦🇿 düşmən

🇲🇽 enemigo

Word origin

The word 'foe' originated from Old English 'fāh', meaning 'hostile, at feud, or enemy'. Over the centuries, the word evolved to its current form 'foe', maintaining its essence of enmity and opposition. In literature and folklore, foes have often been depicted as characters with whom the protagonist must contend, adding conflict and tension to stories. The concept of a foe has been a common theme in human history, reflecting the reality of conflicts and rivalries in various aspects of life.