The converse of friends (7)

I believe the answer is:

enemies

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'the converse of friends' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

This is the entire clue.

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(Other definitions for enemies that I've seen before include "Foes, hostile groups" , "Foes, adversaries" , "Foes, opponents" , "Those we fight" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail and The Guardian.

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