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

At the very end, there’s also a shot of some masked vigilantes looking down on Ellora as their next target.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of vigilantes

Noun

City could face a points deduction or a relegation to a lower-tier league on top of fines or individual punishments for team executives.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2026
In a September complaint, Bonta alleged that from 2018-19 through the first half of 2024-25, Black students received exclusionary punishments at about 4 times the rate of White students at the district.

— Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 7 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

The Chargers and Seahawks combined for 30 accepted penalties totaling 280 yards on Sunday.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
These are welcome changes, as previously guests were allowed three no-show penalties before their ability to make reservations was restricted, and had to cancel the night before.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of penalties

Noun

That family history does bring with it a high level of determination to continue despite the losses and the constant threats of more attacks.

— Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
His reward — and part of the backlash, on top of death threats — was being physically assaulted outside the Capitol in Sacramento and spattered with blood thrown from the gallery.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 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