public enemy

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A person or group considered a threat to society: "public enemy" refers to an individual or organization that is widely regarded as dangerous or harmful to the general public, often due to criminal activities or actions against the common good.
    • A hostile foreign power: In historical or political contexts, "public enemy" can mean a foreign government or entity that is officially at war with one's own country.
Usage Examples
  • (He was viewed as a major threat to society.)
  • (The hostile foreign power is seen as a danger to the nation.)
Advanced Usage

  • "public enemy number one": a phrase used to emphasize the most dangerous or wanted person in society.

    • After the bank robberies, the fugitive became public enemy number one. (He was the most sought-after criminal.)

  • "to make someone a public enemy": to cause a person to be widely hated or feared.

    • His reckless comments made him a public enemy among environmental activists. (His words turned him into a target of public anger.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Public enemy (n): the exact compound word; no direct variants, but related terms include:
    • Enemy of the state (n): a person who is considered a threat to the government or national security.
      • The spy was tried as an enemy of the state. (He was accused of endangering the country.)
    • Wanted fugitive (n): a person who is actively sought by law enforcement for serious crimes.
      • The wanted fugitive was captured after a long manhunt. (The criminal was finally caught.)
Synonyms
  • Menace: a person or thing that is likely to cause harm or danger.
    • The pollution from the factory is a menace to public health. (It poses a threat to the community.)
  • Outlaw: a person who has broken the law and is fleeing from justice.
    • The outlaw was known for robbing trains. (He was a criminal on the run.)
Related Idioms
  • A wolf in sheep's clothing: someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous.
    • The politician seemed friendly, but he was a wolf in sheep's clothing—a true public enemy. (He was secretly harmful to society.)
  • The enemy within: a threat that comes from inside a group or country.
    • Corruption in the government is the enemy within. (It is a hidden danger to the nation.)