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Showing results for public enemy.
Definitions

public enemy

NOUN
common enemy
Synonyms
WEAK
criminal felon gangster lawbreaker malevolent outlaw perpetrator public enemy number one racketeer scofflaw universal foe villain

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.

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

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

Along the way, Norman’s role in the saga made him golf’s public enemy No. 1.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

"Owning up to this arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery would make them public enemy number one," Mr Wright said.

From BBC • May 7, 2025

Shortly after, Rubalcava’s then-boss, Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, told her something Briceño had allegedly said to him: “Natalie is public enemy No. 1, and I will stop at nothing until she’s recalled and politically ruined forever.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2024

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