1
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
2
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
3
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
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
Emma Watson and Tom Felton may have played nemeses on screen, but in real-life, the Harry Potter actors were among the closest duos to come out of the franchise.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 13 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
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
Emma Watson and Tom Felton may have played nemeses on screen, but in real-life, the Harry Potter actors were among the closest duos to come out of the franchise.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 13 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
-
For a storyteller whose works revolve around complicated or slippery romances, life-altering revelations, and fateful everyday encounters, the brutality of the mafia and New York City street vigilantes feels far removed from her own.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
4 June 2026
-
He is occasionally asked to comment on acts of public violence, compelled to defend the many vigilantes who have appeared in his wake.—
Kevin Lozano,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Witnesses also told the commission that the punishments were carried out in hospital compounds, including the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Throughout summer 2023, athletes at both campuses were in limbo about possible punishments.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Rather than a nod of respect, Spurs fans—myself now sheepishly included—are finding their favorite tees and caps drawing chirps, sneers, and curses.—
Joan Kennedy,
Vogue,
10 June 2026
-
Chants laced with curses echo through Madison Square Garden.—
Albert Samaha,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The government recently announced another recruitment drive, offering to pay off debts of up to $140,000 for men who sign up and might otherwise face penalties for defaulting.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
Under Florida law, a first-time DUI conviction can carry penalties that include fines, probation, community service and a driver's license suspension, though any potential penalties in this case would depend on the outcome of court proceedings.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Sakahara later told his son he’d been beaten and kicked and only buckled after officers began to direct the threats at people around him, said Koji, who had confronted his father about his confession.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
Damaging wind gusts and large hail are the main threats, and a tornado or two can’t be ruled out, especially in mid- to late afternoon in parts of eastern Kansas and western Missouri.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
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
Noun
-
Our roads are concussion- and whiplash-inducing menaces.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But the ability to beat back our more routine pathological menaces is a good indicator of the country’s ability to take on bigger, more virulent threats.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nemeses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemeses. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
