“My enemy beat me in the chess tournament.”
Usage Entry 1345 / 1350 60-second read
Enemy vs. Rival
Someone actively hostile versus someone competing with you, not necessarily hostile.
The comparisoni
“My rival beat me in the chess tournament — a rival competes; an enemy is actively hostile.”
The ruleii
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ENEMY = hostile. RIVAL = competitor.
ENEMY is someone actively hostile — wants to harm you. RIVAL is someone competing with you — for a prize, a position, a romance — but not necessarily hostile. Rivals respect each other (classic sports rivals); enemies oppose each other.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Enemies attack. Rivals compete.