frenemy
noun
fren·e·my ˈfre-nə-mē 
plural frenemies
informal : a person who is or pretends to be a friend but who is also in some ways an enemy or rival
In Hollywood, everyone has lots of frenemies, usually people who are doing comparatively well at any given moment.
Pete Clark
Pete ClarkIn an awkward awards ceremony, Phil [Mickelson] and Tiger [Woods] stood on the 18th green together as frenemies. Phil held up the crystal trophy for the tournament title, while Tiger squirreled away a $10 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup … Selena Roberts
Selena Roberts
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Both a comfort beverage and an emblem of our anxieties around capitalism, this seasonal frenemy is here to stay. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 8 Sep. 2022 The dynamics between Devi Vishwakumar, her boyfriend Paxton Hall-Yoshida, and frenemy Ben Gross are more complicated than ever, and of course, each song flawlessly encapsulates the emotion and intensity of a scene. Leah Campano, Seventeen, 15 Aug. 2022 There’s the confidant, who can be entrusted with any secret; there’s the inspiration, also known as a platonic work crush; there’s the frenemy, who can stir up competitive feelings but also push for your success. New York Times, 14 July 2022 After replacing his frenemy Kanye West as a headliner at the Rolling Loud Festival in Miami, Kid Cudi’s July 22 headlining set was cut short after multiple water bottles were thrown at him from the crowd. William Earl, Variety, 23 July 2022 Her frenemy and former glee club teammate Santana Lopez (played by the late Naya Rivera) is also vying for the lead role. Scottie Andrew, CNN, 18 July 2022 In the unlikely rock-star mini-feuds department, Elvis Costello and Rod Stewart — who decades ago had discussions about making an album together — renewed what seems to be a frenemy-ship in recent days. Chris Willman, Variety, 14 June 2022 The leader of Birmingham’s Jewish crime syndicate, Alfie has been Tommy’s frenemy for every season, coming back from the dead for Season 5. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 9 June 2022 Her character’s breakdown—and decision to start dressing like her frenemy, Maddy—included tons of skin-baring, bubblegum pink outfits, which were more often than not a matching two-piece set. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 June 2022 See More
Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 8 Sep. 2022 The dynamics between Devi Vishwakumar, her boyfriend Paxton Hall-Yoshida, and frenemy Ben Gross are more complicated than ever, and of course, each song flawlessly encapsulates the emotion and intensity of a scene. Leah Campano, Seventeen, 15 Aug. 2022 There’s the confidant, who can be entrusted with any secret; there’s the inspiration, also known as a platonic work crush; there’s the frenemy, who can stir up competitive feelings but also push for your success. New York Times, 14 July 2022 After replacing his frenemy Kanye West as a headliner at the Rolling Loud Festival in Miami, Kid Cudi’s July 22 headlining set was cut short after multiple water bottles were thrown at him from the crowd. William Earl, Variety, 23 July 2022 Her frenemy and former glee club teammate Santana Lopez (played by the late Naya Rivera) is also vying for the lead role. Scottie Andrew, CNN, 18 July 2022 In the unlikely rock-star mini-feuds department, Elvis Costello and Rod Stewart — who decades ago had discussions about making an album together — renewed what seems to be a frenemy-ship in recent days. Chris Willman, Variety, 14 June 2022 The leader of Birmingham’s Jewish crime syndicate, Alfie has been Tommy’s frenemy for every season, coming back from the dead for Season 5. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 9 June 2022 Her character’s breakdown—and decision to start dressing like her frenemy, Maddy—included tons of skin-baring, bubblegum pink outfits, which were more often than not a matching two-piece set. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
blend of friend entry 1 and enemy
First Known Use
1891, in the meaning defined above