nemesis

noun

ˈne-mə-səs How to pronounce nemesis (audio)
Definition of nemesisnext
1
as in vigilante
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 punishment
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 curse
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 nemesis At an artists’ retreat, insecure trans cartoonist Al is caught in a love triangle between his best friend and his creative nemesis—and must win his best friend’s heart by learning to draw his feelings honestly. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026 Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers’ coach who doubles as McVay’s friend, mentor and nemesis, outmaneuvered McVay again. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 For a time towards the end of the summer window, there seemed a chance Vardy might go from Wrexham’s one-time nemesis to potential promotion spearhead, only for the 39-year-old to join Burnley. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Bridge drama haunts the campaign Beside Foulkes, McKee’s other nemesis in the campaign is a critical bridge in Providence, Rhode Island — New England’s third-largest city. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
  1. vigilante
  2. punishment
  3. curse
  4. avenger
  5. wrath
  6. bane
  7. punisher
  8. penalty
Noun
  • Police aren’t so happy about the whole thing, with some saying the vigilante tactics are dangerous and reckless.
    — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The only vestiges of social order are a vigilante police force and the power company.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of vigilante
Noun
  • Defense attorney Johnson had filed an election for the jury to assess punishment, but Jones refused to sign it, according to Sorrells.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The sanctions are aimed at cutting the ICC off from the global financial system and include threats of punishment for countries that do business with the court.
    — Susannah George, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of punishment
Noun
  • Depp’s character pleads for help to save her husband from his curse.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026
  • But maybe, Atlanta native and Midtown resident John Henry Hinkel suggested, Hollywood’s departure is more a blessing than a curse.
    — Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • Tresnjak and Melinda Page Hamilton frame Claire Zachanassian as a clear-eyed avenger forcing society to confront capitalism, patriarchy and power, deepening the Playhouse’s emerging sense of company and artistic risk-taking.
    — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Speaking of that last vampire subject, this is also a great episode for Jacob Anderson in the B-plot, as Louis plays the reluctant avenger doing that loveable scoundrel Raglan James’s dirty work in two stand-out action sequences.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Definition of avenger
Noun
  • The county faced DeSantis’ wrath after local officials criticized his pro-development legislation and voters rejected his handpicked candidates at the ballot box in November 2024.
    — Liv Coleman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Hawaii finds itself in the crosshairs again Hawaii has felt the wrath of two hurricanes over the past month.
    — John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of wrath
Noun
  • Hauling crap throughout Tamriel has been the bane of many a gamer’s existence.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In This Article Weeds are the bane of any gardener’s existence.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of bane
Noun
  • Montgomery has barely been in the big leagues for two months but has already put his name alongside a couple of franchise icons (and another hard-core punisher of baseballs).
    — Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of punisher
Noun
  • Advisors who do have a fiduciary duty and who violate that responsibility can be subject to fairly serious consequences, including regulatory penalties, civil liabilities and criminal charges.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The order directs the Treasury Department to defer payment without interest or penalties, and to explore ways to eliminate the deferred bill entirely.
    — Steven John, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of penalty

Browse Nearby Words

nemeses
nemesis
neocon
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on nemesis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nemesis

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Luddite

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

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

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All