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
Xander Bogaerts’ nemesis stood atop the mound.
—
Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 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
This time, her nemesis isn’t so much Miranda.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
The Flyers steamrolled through the first three games against their long-time nemesis in Crosby and the Penguins.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 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
This time, her nemesis isn’t so much Miranda.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
The Flyers steamrolled through the first three games against their long-time nemesis in Crosby and the Penguins.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
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Activists say the real death toll may never be known, with users and small-time peddlers gunned down almost daily in mysterious slumland killings blamed on vigilantes and turf wars.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
-
Like the comics, Bernthal’s Punisher was a loose-cannon, gun-toting vigilante overflowing with grief from the shocking murders of his wife and children.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Francis took some punishment from Navarro – a few shots from a baseball bat and a drop kick with a trash can.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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The bipartisan support for the measure comes at a time when federal closures have become longer and more frequent, frustrating lawmakers who say there should be punishment when Congress fails at its most basic legislative duty.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
As the moon meets Pluto, ultimate creative freedom can be a curse.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
Baseball has always been a sport that believes in the occult — in juju and curses and superstitions.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
Noun
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But as all the world knows, Edmond Dantès did rise again, transformed from an innocent young sailor into that courtly yet implacable avenger, the Count of Monte Cristo.—
Michael Dirda,
The New York Review of Books,
19 Mar. 2026
-
And it was signed, black dahlia avenger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The party also drew an appearance by Roger Ailes, the Fox News Channel chief who had faced Foxman’s wrath over the conspiracy musings of one-time Fox personality Beck.—
Ron Kampeas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
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Although their relationship begins as a love story, the book brings home the profits of Jacob’s earlier brutality—fate catches up to him, and everything that is love and passion sort of spoils into wrath and obsession.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
For many Georgians, the roads around Atlanta are not only essential for getting around the state's capital city, but also the bane of their existence.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
-
This song is meant to add levity to the series and also introduce us to this ridiculous character whose only purpose is to be the bane of Mabel’s existence for the season.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Noun
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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
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After Minnesota killed the first penalty of the game — an accomplishment of note with the way the Wild penalty kill was torched in the first two games — Kaprizov opened the scoring with the teams skating 4-on-4, completing a speedy rush to the net after a set-up pass from Faber.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2026
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Devon Toews was called for a hooking penalty, giving Minnesota 63 seconds of 4-on-3 power-play time.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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