NEMESES Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

nemeses

noun

plural of nemesis

as in vigilantes

one who inflicts punishment in return for an injury or offense Batman is the Joker's main nemesis and always foils his wicked plots

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in punishments

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in curses

a source of harm or misfortune irrationality is the nemesis of democracy, for good government depends upon the wisdom of the electorate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of nemeses Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeton are workplace nemeses who serve as executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. — Kayla Olson, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026 The actors played each other's nemeses in the comedy series created by and starring Seth Rogen. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026 The New York Yankees continue to be the Kansas City Royals’ nemeses. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 May 2026 Various nemeses and side characters enter the fray, from Jim’s archenemy (and also Insta-famous) Pavel to the scally with a sneaker-sniffing fetish who guides Jim and Lucien to their next destination. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2026 Yura’s nemeses, who are part of her elderly father’s underwater court, seem to be after her magical flute, an ancient device that controls their kingdom’s dragon. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 1 May 2026 So have their nemeses in the LAPD. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Pete McBride Advertisement Five and half decades ago, two Colorado River nemeses, Floyd Dominy of the Bureau of Reclamation (pro-dam) and David Brower of the Sierra Club (anti-dam), did just that. — Pete McBride, Time, 27 Feb. 2026 By fighting for fairness and equality, while simultaneously asking us to care for others with compassion and empathy (sharing this with our frenemies and nemeses will be hard, but valuable in teaching them to be kind). — Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 30 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemeses

Noun

Temple is a nurse who gives medical aid to vigilantes, and has appeared in the first and second season of Marvel TV’s Daredevil (2015-2016), Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Luke Cage and spinoff The Defenders.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
The series has focused on criminal kingpin Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) becoming mayor of New York and then targeting Daredevil and other vigilantes who are in his way.

— Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of vigilantes

Noun

Simple activities or routines at a treatment center could overstimulate Pike and set off a cycle of meltdowns and punishments.

— Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
His punishments were focused on learning from the experience, according to documents filed in his subsequent lawsuit.

— Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of punishments

Noun

Vieira said the show offers another opportunity for people to discover Rockport beyond the fictional curses portrayed in the series.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026
But repression isn’t a good plan when generations-long curses run in the bloodline, because Sally’s daughter Kylie (Joey King), now a college student, has gone and fallen in love behind her mother’s back.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of curses

Noun

Disruptions that cascade across siloed departments generate redundant labor costs, spoiled cargo commitments, maintenance penalties and compensation claims.

— Abha Dogra, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
And the Rams, who committed a whopping 13 penalties to Denver's five, weren't done.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of penalties

Noun

And as these entities' use and reliance on digital systems expands, so too does their exposure to potential cybersecurity threats.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Alito’s concerns are not unfounded, as threats to members in recent history have raised alarm about justices’ safety.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of threats

Noun

The actresses play the delightful mother-daughter duo Angela and Ainsley — who are oftentimes the banes of Tommy's (Billy Bob Thornton) existence — in the Taylor Sheridan series.

— Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
But along with ready cash, the laissez-faire approach brought the banes of corruption, criminal infiltration, and rampant pollution.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025

Definition of banes

Cite this Entry

Style

“Nemeses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemeses. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of nemeses

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

regimen

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes