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
The victory sets up yet another title bout between the Eagles and their Catholic Conference nemesis, St. John’s Prep, which advanced to the Div. 1 championship with a 12-5 win over Lincoln-Sudbury earlier in the day.
—
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 12 June 2025
Departments & Columns The Week The Week NR Editors
Hubris plus hubris was bound to equal nemesis.
—Christian Schneider, National Review, 12 June 2025
Like his ideological nemeses the Bolsheviks, Yarvin seems to believe that the only thing standing in the way of Utopia is an unwillingness to use every means possible to achieve it.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Season 2 will also welcome a host of guest stars, including Brody’s real-life wife Leighton Meester (as Joanne’s middle school nemesis), along with Alex Karpovsky (Girls) and Arian Moayed (Succession).
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 12 June 2025
Departments & Columns The Week The Week NR Editors
Hubris plus hubris was bound to equal nemesis.
—Christian Schneider, National Review, 12 June 2025
Like his ideological nemeses the Bolsheviks, Yarvin seems to believe that the only thing standing in the way of Utopia is an unwillingness to use every means possible to achieve it.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Season 2 will also welcome a host of guest stars, including Brody’s real-life wife Leighton Meester (as Joanne’s middle school nemesis), along with Alex Karpovsky (Girls) and Arian Moayed (Succession).
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
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Bernthal made his Marvel debut as the trigger-happy vigilante in Netflix's Daredevil series before going on to front his own spinoff, The Punisher, which ran for two seasons.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
21 June 2025
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Jon Bernthal has appeared in several Marvel television series as the stone-cold vigilante known as the Punisher, even headlining his own series.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Márquez’s success prevented him from leaving Cuba, and as a result, he was sent to work in agriculture as punishment.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
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There was, however, a fateful exception: slavery or involuntary servitude would remain permissible as punishment for crimes.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
30 June 2025
Noun
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Because perhaps heartbreak is not only a curse, but also a language.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
20 June 2025
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His thought that autism is a curse that destroys families IS the tragedy.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2025
Noun
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The congresswoman, who is up for reelection next year, risks Trump's wrath and may hinder her chances in the 2026 midterms.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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The shooting and cellphone footage that captured the moment when Armstrong was shot has drawn the ire of family members and the wrath of community organizations that make up the Healing and Justice Center in Miami.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
Noun
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Compliance Check For Key Industries Ah, compliance—the bane of every CISO's existence.—
Itzik Alvas,
Forbes,
2 Dec. 2024
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Sargassum, the stinky, slimy bane of beachgoers worldwide, returned to swarm south Florida beaches last week, as masses of the seaweed were spotted lining the shores of Miami Beach, a famous destination and beach getaway for travelers.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Noun
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There’s no legitimate reason businesses need to be shelling out money for lawyers and civil penalties over such things.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
25 June 2025
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The penalty for an aggravated DUI is up to 15 years in prison, $5,000 fine, 5-year driver’s license suspension and restitution, according to Canyon County.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
24 June 2025
Noun
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The thinking among investors is that the stocks in the ETF will get more attention due to the threat from Iran's sophisticated army of hackers.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
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The warning is in effect until 5:30 p.m. What to do as threat of lightning approaches?—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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