enemies

nounsomeone hated or competed against

Synonyms for enemies

noun someone hated or competed against

Antonyms for enemies

Word Origin & History

early 13c., from Old French enemi (12c.), earlier inimi (9c.) "enemy, adversary, foe, demon, the Devil," from Latin inimicus "hostile, unfriendly; an enemy" (source of Italian nemico, Catalan enamic, Spanish enemigo, Portuguese inimigo), from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + amicus "friend" related to amare "to love" (see Amy).

Most words for "personal enemy" cover also "enemy in war," but certain languages have special terms for the latter, e.g. Greek polemioi (distinct from ekhthroi), Latin hostis, originally "stranger" (distinct from inimicus), Russian neprijatel' (distinct from vrag).

Russian vrag (Old Church Slavonic vragu) is cognate with Lithuanian vargas "misery" (see urge), and probably is related to Proto-Germanic *wargoz, source of Old Norse vargr "outlaw," hence "wolf;" Icelandic vargur "fox," Old English wearg "criminal, felon;" which likely were the inspirations for J.R.R. Tolkien's warg "a kind of large ferocious wolf" in "The Hobbit" (1937) and "Lord of the Rings." Related: Enemies.

Example Sentences forenemies

He is always making his enemies sick with despairing jealousy.

You see, my dear, he scruples not to speak of himself, as his enemies speak of him.

The enemies of this faith know no god but force, no devotion but its use.

True, the plant has enemies, like everything else, enemies which it may not escape.

"Yet I have known the king's enemies claim to ride in his same," said Sir Nigel.

Having this matter attended to, there are other enemies with which we must contend.

Since then we have been found in the ranks of your enemies; but this was your fault, not ours.

I had tasted blood of my master's enemies; also Kokomo was afraid, and that is an offense to me.

"Indians never refuse food, if they have it, even to their enemies," said the Princess.

He also suffered constant persecution at the hands of his enemies.