nemesis

noun

nem·​e·​sis ˈne-mə-səs How to pronounce nemesis (audio)
1
capitalized : the Greek goddess of retributive justice
2
plural nemeses ˈne-mə-ˌsēz How to pronounce nemesis (audio)
a
: one that inflicts retribution or vengeance
Many a pursued man fell before his nemesis in the streets …Agnes Morely Cleaveland
b
: a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent
The team was defeated by its old nemesis.
3
plural nemeses
a
: an act or effect of retribution
… pursue them with the nemesis of outraged humanity.Donald Culross Peattie
b
: bane sense 1
A nemesis of humankind since the first hand slapped the first cheek, mosquitoes have bitten their way into the American experience …Jack Cox

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Nemesis and Greek Mythology

Nemesis was the Greek goddess of vengeance, a deity who doled out rewards for noble acts and punishment for evil ones. The Greeks believed that Nemesis didn't always punish an offender immediately but might wait generations to avenge a crime. In English, nemesis originally referred to someone who brought a just retribution, but nowadays people are more likely to see simple animosity rather than justice in the actions of a nemesis (consider the motivations of Batman’s perennial foe the Joker, for example).

Examples of nemesis in a Sentence

On just the kind of putt that had been a career-long nemesis, he kept his head perfectly still and knocked the ball squarely in the hole. Jaime Diaz, Sports Illustrated, 20 Feb. 1995
Japan and Iraq have been floated as possible successors for the role once filled by Amercia's old nemesis, the Soviet Union … Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 18 June 1993
In the beginning were the words, winged at first until, paralysed, they fell to earth and were imprisoned by their nemesis, the alphabet. Erich Segal, Times Literary Supplement, 12 July 1991
Thus, once surgeons implant the new graft, tissue rejection—the unforgiving nemesis of most transplant attempts—occurs in only 3% to 5% of cases. Christine Gorman et al., Time, 7 Dec. 1987
He will be playing his old nemesis for the championship. Batman is the Joker's main nemesis and always foils his wicked plots.
Recent Examples on the Web Michael Cohen, a former Trump associate turned nemesis, paid the actress to keep her from speaking publicly. El M. Calabrese, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 Set in Lahore, pre-independent India, the lavish period drama turns on arch nemeses Mallikajaan and Fareedan who are locked in a battle for succession of Heeramandi, where courtesans reign as queens. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Feb. 2024 In 2020, Vladimir Putin set out to crush popular dissent in Russia once and for all, ordering his secret police to hunt down his nemesis Alexei Navalny, the eventual winner of the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2024 At the same time, Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal (Ferrell) and his girlfriend (Vergara) and must go on the run. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2024 This may implicate your lovers and your nemeses, your business partners and your competitors. Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2024 Marichal was a Dodgers nemesis as the ace of the San Francisco Giants for 14 years, best known for bashing catcher John Roseboro over the head with a bat in 1965. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2024 The turnovers remained a problem with, gulp, season-high 20, but the other lapses magically vanished for arguably the biggest game of the season, an 81-70 win against nemesis New Mexico in front of another (really, really loud) sellout at Viejas Arena. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2024 First, there’s stable prices — and its nemesis, runaway inflation. Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nemesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, borrowed from Greek némesis "retribution, righteous anger, blame," probably derivative (with -esis, analogically extended form of -sis, -tis, suffix of action nouns) of némein "to rule, distribute, apportion" — more at nimble

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nemesis was in 1561

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Cite this Entry

“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nemesis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nemesis

noun
nem·​e·​sis ˈnem-ə-səs How to pronounce nemesis (audio)
plural nemeses -ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce nemesis (audio)
1
a
: one that punishes or avenges
b
: a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent
2
: an act or instance of just punishment

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