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

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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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

By 1964-65, inflation was on the rise, and bond vigilantes demanded higher yields.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Through its own websites, the mysterious group has been portraying itself as vigilantes out to rein in greedy video game developers.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of vigilantes

Noun

The zaobanchu during Qianlong’s reign comprised nearly one thousand artisans, who worked out of fear to serve the demands of the insatiable emperor who would sometimes dole out severe punishments, like taking away a year’s salary.

— Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
The Ethics Committee has the power to investigate violations of federal law and House rules, and can recommend punishments for members who are found to have committed them.

— Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of punishments

Noun

In other cases Hoodoo was used to counter the threat of curses, as in the practice of suspending bottles from a tree to trap any malevolent spirits or witches traveling in spirit form.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
The cumulative impression of Alice that the book leaves is of someone moving serenely through life, meeting fond blessings and awful curses both with the same calm equanimity.

— Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of curses

Noun

The Big 12 did not mention what the penalties would be for programs that bring back NBA, NFL or WNBA players to their teams.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
Had Meta refused to settle and lost, the company could have faced as much as $200 billion in combined penalties, Reuters reported — suggesting that the social media giant was probably at least somewhat concerned about the possibility of a loss.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of penalties

Noun

In addition, the 14-year-old was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Leaders of two commands, one overseeing the nuclear arsenal and the other focused on cyber threats, declined all three options, asking to maintain the full program.

— Megan Rose, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 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