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
The eight-parter is the origin story of the titular detective, played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and takes in the friendship between Holmes and nemesis-in-waiting James Moriarty, played by Dónal Finn.
—
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
Wachusett senior Sophie Gibbons didn’t want to close out her career against the Mountaineers’ greatest nemesis over the last three seasons with the feeling of the former.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Lox Pratt replaces Tom Felton as Harry’s schoolyard nemesis Draco Malfoy.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
Since 1979, Iran’s revolutionary regime has been the nemesis of eight American Presidents.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026
Wachusett senior Sophie Gibbons didn’t want to close out her career against the Mountaineers’ greatest nemesis over the last three seasons with the feeling of the former.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Lox Pratt replaces Tom Felton as Harry’s schoolyard nemesis Draco Malfoy.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
Since 1979, Iran’s revolutionary regime has been the nemesis of eight American Presidents.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
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Virgil Wounded Horse, something of a vigilante, recounts the events of a tumultuous winter.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The film is an offbeat comedy following Cory, a lonely tech worker drawn into a quirky Los Angeles underground world of plant-loving vigilantes.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Fertitta wrote in the Texas Bar Blog that punishment can vary.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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Critics and free speech advocates raised concerns that the punishment violated free speech protections.—
Milla Surjadi,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The family curse was alive and well.—
Jennifer Wolfgram,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Too much focus went on growing the club as a financial juggernaut and investing in the stadium, which went from being their savior to their curse.—
Joe Prince-Wright,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And it was signed, black dahlia avenger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
By the end of that first half hour, he has been unmasked as the bloody avenger of the backyard.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Joe Biden’s efforts to be the most pro-labor president in history didn’t spare him the wrath of young Starbucks employees who accused him of complicity in genocide.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The second-year former first-round draft pick didn’t even have to be on the floor to face Doncic’s wrath.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This terrain has already proven a bane to recent uncrewed lander attempts, including both missions by Intuitive Machines, which had landers tip after touchdown.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2026
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The Lakers arrived in Denver with a 17-5 record in games involving clutch time — the same situations that have been the bane of Denver’s existence since Jokic returned from a knee injury.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
-
Minnesota killing off a late-period penalty was about the only highlight for Wild fans, who went to the second intermission a bit stunned at the deficit facing their team.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
16 Mar. 2026
-
There are other conditions and penalties the writer has failed to consider.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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