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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nemesis
This is a study in hubris and nemesis, not structural determinism.
—
Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 15 Apr. 2025
On California’s North Coast, where other urchin nemeses — like otters, spiny lobsters and sheephead — are lacking, 96% of the region’s kelp forests vanished in the decade following the sea star collapse.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025
For the upstart football league, the women’s Final Four proved to be far too big to tackle, while the breakaway golf faction took a beating care of the UConn-South Carolina title tilt on ABC while losing a key head-to-head battle with its nemeses at the PGA Tour.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Once a nemesis of Trump, Bezos has sought to curry favor with the new administration and donated big bucks to his inauguration committee along with other Big Tech moguls.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 15 Apr. 2025
On California’s North Coast, where other urchin nemeses — like otters, spiny lobsters and sheephead — are lacking, 96% of the region’s kelp forests vanished in the decade following the sea star collapse.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025
For the upstart football league, the women’s Final Four proved to be far too big to tackle, while the breakaway golf faction took a beating care of the UConn-South Carolina title tilt on ABC while losing a key head-to-head battle with its nemeses at the PGA Tour.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Once a nemesis of Trump, Bezos has sought to curry favor with the new administration and donated big bucks to his inauguration committee along with other Big Tech moguls.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
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Peter Dinklage plays the title role, a janitor who becomes a CEO-fighting vigilante after falling into toxic waste and transforming into a mutant with superhuman size and strength.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Time,
16 May 2025
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He was raised in an abusive household by a father who was a gang leader, and has become a vigilante.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Noun
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On the same day she was sworn into office, Pirro unveiled on Wednesday evening the punishment for two men who carried out a broad-daylight drive-by shooting near a D.C. elementary school.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
15 May 2025
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Though itself a form of punishment, the breathalyzers were also pitched as a compromise to prevent people from losing their driving privileges entirely—something that can be devastating in a country where driving is often essential for work and daily life.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
15 May 2025
Noun
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The following list contains killer robots, talking cats, deadly curses and period crime dramas.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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The 18-inch model leaves a cavernous space beneath the bed that can accommodate several tote-style storage containers—which could be a blessing or a curse depending on the usual state of your bedroom floor.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Willkie Farr & Gallagher last week became the latest law firm to strike a deal with the White House and escape President Trump’s wrath.—
Ben Protess,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
-
And Augusta National Golf Club did not escape the storm’s wrath.—
Bob Spear,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Sargassum, the stinky, slimy bane of beachgoers worldwide, returned to swarm south Florida beaches last week, as masses of the seaweed were spotted lining the shores of Miami Beach, a famous destination and beach getaway for travelers.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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Women's sports bras were the bane of my teen existence.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Wired News,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And in that context, any defensive player who comes in hard risks incurring an unnecessary roughness penalty for contact deemed too harsh, even if the whistle hasn’t yet blown.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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What are penalties for selling stuff without a permit? Selling things in California without a valid seller’s permit can get you into legal trouble, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.—
Angela Rodriguez,
Sacbee.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Residents and businesses across Chicago already face a high tax and fee burden and worry about shouldering more costs amid widespread economic uncertainty due to rising tariffs, persistent inflation, state and local budget deficits and unprecedented threats to critical federal funding.—
Jack Lavin,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
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In cybersecurity, while threats evolve, some core challenges remain unchanged.—
Darren Guccione,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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