public enemy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To the religious authorities in England in the early 16th century, an obdurate Oxford scholar became a public enemy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

They may see you as public enemy No. 1 whether or not you try to appease and include them.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

To hear prosecutors tell it, Jose Landa-Rodriguez was public enemy No. 1.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2025

Since the “Reputation” era, Swift has made martyrdom into a billion-dollar industry, a smart move further aided by her public enemy, Scooter Braun, purchasing her master recordings in 2019.

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2025

One of those dots is the mother of public enemy number one, I think when I hear a faint wailing behind me.

From "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko