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
In preschool, he was given a wordless role as Farmer McGregor in a school production of Peter Rabbit and began hamming it up, counting the missing tomatoes and gesticulating at his nemesis rabbit.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Craig Robinson is Reggie’s nemesis, as the aforementioned Jerry Basmati, a rival player (and cynical Christian), who inherited the post-gridiron media career Reggie imagined for himself.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Jackson hadn't studied his nemesis, the mayor of Chicago, for nothing.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
His nemesis is a dumpster, according to the show.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Craig Robinson is Reggie’s nemesis, as the aforementioned Jerry Basmati, a rival player (and cynical Christian), who inherited the post-gridiron media career Reggie imagined for himself.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Jackson hadn't studied his nemesis, the mayor of Chicago, for nothing.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
His nemesis is a dumpster, according to the show.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
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The first superhero movie with a Latino protagonist, Blue Beetle stars Xolo Maridueña as Jaime, a recent college grad who accidentally ends up bonding with an ancient alien relic that turns him into a high-flying vigilante.—
Danny Horn,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
-
That’s my masked vigilante thing!—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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If the red card is overturned, the UEFA disciplinary panel would have the power to remove all punishment or reinstate the initial yellow card, which would lead to a one-match ban for a red card for two bookable offences.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Feb. 2026
-
His sentence was the longest punishment brought to date since China imposed the national security law in 2020, essentially silencing Hong Kong's dissent.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For Ukraine, the war has been a curse – a curse to survive and adapt long enough to spare Europe’s borders from Russia’s forces and absolve its allies from springing into greater action.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Indeed, various curses and slurs could be heard shouted from the audience at London's Royal Festival Hall, even during some segments broadcast to audiences in England and abroad.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 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
-
But questions swirled about if even that would survive nature’s wrath for two-and-a-half centuries.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Two machine-gunners who escaped the wrath of the previous planes.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Perennials are just starting to send out new buds and shoots, lawns are starting to green, and the weeds—the bane of every gardener's existence—are really coming to life.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Time, skill and effort are the bane of the busy active person or family wanting healthier meal options beyond the TV dinner or meal delivery service.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Feb. 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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The posts often link to unofficial preparation services that collect your personal information — or encourage filing claims that can trigger audits and penalties.—
Ken Colburn,
AZCentral.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The Patriots advanced to the final by winning a penalty-kick shootout against Fort Walton Beach 2-1 (4-3 PKs), with junior goalie Alex Vanhaeren saved two PKs.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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