nemesis

noun

ˈne-mə-səs How to pronounce nemesis (audio)
Definition of nemesisnext
1
as in vigilante
one who inflicts punishment in return for an injury or offense Batman is the Joker's main nemesis and always foils his wicked plots

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2
as in punishment
suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense social ostracism was once society's nemesis for those who defied its sexual mores

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in curse
a source of harm or misfortune irrationality is the nemesis of democracy, for good government depends upon the wisdom of the electorate

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nemesis Debbie intervenes to defuse the tension, then gets distracted by the presence of her nemesis, Cha Cha. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 Needless to say, Parker and Stone quickly got bored with the subject, adding a subplot that saw Obama teaming up with his apparent nemesis John McCain to dig a tunnel from the Oval Office to the Smithsonian and steal the Hope Diamond. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026 The left-hander had set down 11 straight batters before that swing by Arozarena, a Yankees nemesis for years. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 There were never any doubts about the man playing He-Man's nemesis, Skeletor, however. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
  1. vigilante
  2. punishment
  3. curse
  4. avenger
  5. wrath
  6. bane
  7. punisher
  8. penalty
Noun
  • Havelock neither retreats to the closet nor holds out hope for resolution via vigilante justice.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • By 1964-65, inflation was on the rise, and bond vigilantes demanded higher yields.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of vigilante
Noun
  • Because of this purposeful inaccuracy, she will be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment.
    — Rick Ellis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Hisbah members also face widespread allegations of rights abuses in their enforcement operations, including subjecting offenders to dehumanizing punishments such as public beatings or shaming.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of punishment
Noun
  • That was a full-length movie filmed in 2004 when the Red Sox were breaking their storied curse, and included Johnny Damon and other players in cameos.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The prince, Ashitaka, encounters a forest-dwelling young woman called San on his journey and the two become friends, teaming up to help save the forest and end his curse.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • Speaking of that last vampire subject, this is also a great episode for Jacob Anderson in the B-plot, as Louis plays the reluctant avenger doing that loveable scoundrel Raglan James’s dirty work in two stand-out action sequences.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • Instead, the young, webbed avenger kept limber by performing headstands and flips and cartwheels on the grass.
    — Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026
Definition of avenger
Noun
  • Instead of targeting Watson, several of those same fans should’ve saved their wrath and looked in the mirror.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Natalie and her mother, perhaps fearing the wrath incurred by the cardinal sin, denied the cause of his death.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrath
Noun
  • In This Article Weeds are the bane of any gardener’s existence.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The arrangement was aimed at minimizing the number and cost of change orders, which are the bane of construction projects.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of bane
Noun
  • Montgomery has barely been in the big leagues for two months but has already put his name alongside a couple of franchise icons (and another hard-core punisher of baseballs).
    — Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of punisher
Noun
  • After offside penalty on the Hawks on the PAT, the Warriors go for two and failed to convert on a wide receiver reverse.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Fisk and Overton use three surveys to trace how expectations of harsher penalties for failure can dampen women’s leadership ambitions.
    — Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of penalty

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nemesis
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Cite this Entry

“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nemesis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nemesis

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