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
As the Year of the Horse galloped in, revelers ushered in the most prominent festival on the Chinese Lunar calendar with some quirks – from Kung Fu robots to Harry Potter’s teenage nemesis – and some reflection.
—
Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
The Padres’ latest addition to the starting rotation competition is an old nemesis who has fallen on hard times.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Some American viewers were pulled into it by a boring—and slightly embarrassing—poster of Harrison Ford, smirking in a suit, while a loyal Melanie Griffith clings to his shoulder and Sigourney Weaver, as befits her role of nemesis, gives a wicked smile.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
What follows is Rockwell and his merry band of misfits on a madcap romp through a dystopian landscape for a showdown with the future’s artificial nemesis.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
The Padres’ latest addition to the starting rotation competition is an old nemesis who has fallen on hard times.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Some American viewers were pulled into it by a boring—and slightly embarrassing—poster of Harrison Ford, smirking in a suit, while a loyal Melanie Griffith clings to his shoulder and Sigourney Weaver, as befits her role of nemesis, gives a wicked smile.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
What follows is Rockwell and his merry band of misfits on a madcap romp through a dystopian landscape for a showdown with the future’s artificial nemesis.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
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As the body count rises, Inspector Jack Phatudi is drawn into a dangerous manhunt to unmask the vigilante.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
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Amid mounting pressure from both vigilante violence and municipal manipulation, Dearing settled the condemnation lawsuit and moved his family to 7th Street in West Oakland.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, said Clark deserved a tougher punishment, including being barred from practicing law in the state.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Prosecutors in the case recommended the death penalty as punishment for Yoon, given the severity of his crimes.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For Ukraine, the war has been a curse – a curse to survive and adapt long enough to spare Europe’s borders from Russia’s forces and absolve its allies from springing into greater action.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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Indeed, various curses and slurs could be heard shouted from the audience at London's Royal Festival Hall, even during some segments broadcast to audiences in England and abroad.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And it was signed, black dahlia avenger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
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By the end of that first half hour, he has been unmasked as the bloody avenger of the backyard.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The photoshoot was themed around the seven deadly sins, with Rondot being assigned to portray wrath.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
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Get ready for the wrath of the readers.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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At Ereks-Blue Matters, a circular garment manufacturer in Istanbul that counts Fiorucci and Wrangler among clients, the new reporting requirements have been a boon and a bane.—
Tara Donaldson,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
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Then, as if there was any doubt where this was headed, the Heat made sure there would not be another third-period collapse, which largely has been the bane of this uneven season.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 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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As Manchester United’s players fell to the floor on the referee’s whistle, Chelsea’s coalesced into an exhausted, joyous huddle in their own penalty area.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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One on Tomas Chancalay’s long-range curler in the 40th minute and Yeboah’s rip from near the penalty spot in the 46th.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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