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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of nemesis
In 1979, Beijing invaded Vietnam, ostensibly to teach Hanoi a lesson for entering into an alliance with the Soviet Union, then China’s nemesis, and for invading Cambodia, which Beijing was supporting.
—
M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2025
Hosting their old nemesis, Seattle, in a divisional-round playoff game on Jan. 17, 2016.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2025
That’s all Pierce, the former Celtic forward and long-time Heat nemesis, needed as a takeoff point during his Fox Sports Speak show.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025
Superman’s nemesis, Lex Luthor, played with quicksilver menace by Nicholas Hoult, is now a fascist tech billionaire — the CEO of LutherCorp — who has his tentacles everywhere: in industry, the U.S. government, and foreign nations.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
M. Taylor Fravel, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2025
Hosting their old nemesis, Seattle, in a divisional-round playoff game on Jan. 17, 2016.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2025
That’s all Pierce, the former Celtic forward and long-time Heat nemesis, needed as a takeoff point during his Fox Sports Speak show.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025
Superman’s nemesis, Lex Luthor, played with quicksilver menace by Nicholas Hoult, is now a fascist tech billionaire — the CEO of LutherCorp — who has his tentacles everywhere: in industry, the U.S. government, and foreign nations.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
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Sailor's owner, Abigail Crouch, 24, was left feeling rather embarrassed when her adorable vigilante had to be carried out of the building by the doorman, Eric.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
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The good news is that Japan’s debt auctions are now attracting enough demand to calm nerves — and placate the bond vigilantes.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
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Mackenzie sued, arguing that under the Constitution, her American birth gave her citizenship as a right, not a privilege, to be removed only as punishment for a crime or through voluntary expatriation.—
Marcia Biederman,
Hartford Courant,
13 July 2025
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For years, state and local authorities have struggled to police these operations, hampered by limited resources and weak criminal punishments that allow arcade owners to brush off law-enforcement interference, the news organizations found.—
Josh Salman,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Perfection is a blessing and a curse for Virgo parents.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
15 July 2025
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Also, the fact that Ken gets cursed by a crazy old ghost actually helps Momo in her alien abduction predicament, with Momo’s newfound spiritual abilities helping to curb Ken’s curse.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Anyone who dared challenge the prevailing narrative faced the wrath of a ravenous cancel culture.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
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That patience has only earned Powell the president’s wrath.—
Paolo Confino,
Fortune,
16 July 2025
Noun
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Be More Aggressive About Debt Elimination While not all debt is bad, high-interest ones, such as credit cards, personal loans, or payday loans, can be the bane of your wealth building and retirement planning efforts.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
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There was a time when the Mojito was the bane of bartenders back in the early aughts when the drink was popular but the craft cocktail movement hadn’t really found its sea legs yet.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
11 July 2025
Noun
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For all her obvious abilities between the sticks, there is also the conviction to step up and take a penalty herself.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
20 July 2025
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If not, the Cowboys have the right to issue a penalty.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 July 2025
Noun
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The threat to cancel the recess could push senators to avoid stonewalling appointments.—
Miriam Waldvogel,
The Hill,
20 July 2025
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Under a new state law, property owners whose land is taken by any Washington school district through eminent domain, or the threat of it, will have the opportunity to repurchase the real estate if the project does not come to fruition.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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