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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nemesis
For endurance and adventure athletes, heat often feels like a universal nemesis.
—
Brad Stulberg, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Related Stories Essiedu is set to play potions master Snape — one of Potter’s nemeses — in the upcoming streaming adaptation, a role previously played by Alan Rickman.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
And while fans and teammates have embraced their former nemesis, his recent streak of three goals in two games have also produced memories of past April anguish.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
Penn, in the film, played the evil nemesis of DiCaprio's Bob Ferguson.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Brad Stulberg, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Related Stories Essiedu is set to play potions master Snape — one of Potter’s nemeses — in the upcoming streaming adaptation, a role previously played by Alan Rickman.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
And while fans and teammates have embraced their former nemesis, his recent streak of three goals in two games have also produced memories of past April anguish.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
Penn, in the film, played the evil nemesis of DiCaprio's Bob Ferguson.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
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In the Season 2 premiere, the task force is destroying local businesses on Fisk’s orders and cracking down on vigilantes prowling the streets.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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The lead character, Jack Reacher, is a former military policeman who solves crimes as a vigilante.—
Austin Mullen,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the message did not say what happened or if any students faced punishment .—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
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Georgia lawmakers have approved a bill creating more legal punishments for protesters and others who obstruct the state's streets and highways.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At the beginning of her music career, Jordan was (rightfully) hailed as a prodigy—a blessing and a curse.—
Grace Robins-Somerville,
Pitchfork,
30 Mar. 2026
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Meeting Rachel’s parents and getting that backstory leads her into discovering this family curse.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But as all the world knows, Edmond Dantès did rise again, transformed from an innocent young sailor into that courtly yet implacable avenger, the Count of Monte Cristo.—
Michael Dirda,
The New York Review of Books,
19 Mar. 2026
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And it was signed, black dahlia avenger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Due to these restrictions, House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) outlined some provisions to skirt the Senate parliamentarian’s wrath.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
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Joe Biden’s efforts to be the most pro-labor president in history didn’t spare him the wrath of young Starbucks employees who accused him of complicity in genocide.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The trio in its entirety seemed to have weighed at least three pounds, leading me to believe that Bob’s isn’t too fazed by inflation or the overall food cost margins that seem to be the bane of every restaurateur’s existence.—
Andre James,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Mar. 2026
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The bane of every dictator Freedom of the press is the bane of every dictator.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
Noun
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The city agreed, reducing maximum e-bike speeds to 15 mph on city trails, prohibiting e-bikes on sidewalks and imposing penalties.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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The Jackets took another penalty with 41 seconds left and the B’s tied it with 11 seconds left in regulation.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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