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
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 second-half substitute headed in Graham Zusi’s corner kick to lift the Americans to a victory over World Cup nemesis Ghana.
—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Barbicane and his nemesis, Captain Nicholl, soon agree to join him.
—
Neil Oseman,
Space.com,
14 June 2026
Dana Sue found a sympathetic ear in her former high school nemesis Clark, Magnolias’ new business partner, setting a potential love triangle.
—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Kayla Olson,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
The second-half substitute headed in Graham Zusi’s corner kick to lift the Americans to a victory over World Cup nemesis Ghana.
—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Barbicane and his nemesis, Captain Nicholl, soon agree to join him.
—
Neil Oseman,
Space.com,
14 June 2026
Dana Sue found a sympathetic ear in her former high school nemesis Clark, Magnolias’ new business partner, setting a potential love triangle.
—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
-
The first film, starring Robert Pattinson in the titular role, sees Bruce Wayne navigate his second year as Gotham's resident vigilante when a serial killer goes after several prominent public figures.
-
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.
Noun
-
The couple is set to face punishment for the horrific deaths during sentencing on July 10.
-
The city shows how quickly a violent act can be transformed into collective punishment.
Noun
-
The pressure that comes with ending a beloved TV show is both a blessing and a curse.
-
Their greatest gifts are their biggest curses.
Noun
-
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.
-
Instead, the young, webbed avenger kept limber by performing headstands and flips and cartwheels on the grass.
Noun
-
Anthropic has advocated for more stringent AI regulations — at times incurring the wrath of the Pentagon and White House — while OpenAI has pushed a more hands-off approach.
-
Armed with a name, Polyphemus is able to call down his father’s wrath on Odysseus.
Noun
-
Now, decades later, weekday lunches have become the bane of my existence.
-
Thankfully, the in-room fax machines that were the bane of Bob Harris’ existence are long gone, too.
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).
Noun
-
Of the $705 million hospitals owed the state, about $478 million of that was from unpaid hospital assessments and related penalties, as of March.
-
At the final whistle, the Curaçao team mobbed Room in the penalty area before journeying some 40 yards behind him to celebrate with Curaçao fans in attendance.
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
