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
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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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nemesis
Superman also stars Nicholas Hoult as Superman’s arch-nemesis Lex Luthor.
—
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Wiig joins a beefy cast headlined by Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, Camila Mendes as Teela, Jared Leto as his arch-nemesis Skeletor, and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn.
—Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Similarly, in an off-election year, a public fight with Democrats’ nemesis allows Newsom to remain in the national spotlight and rub shoulders with donors and activists, while fellow Democratic Senators, Representatives, and Governors are mostly out of the news.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
In February, it was announced she was cast in the forthcoming season to play Joanne’s former middle school nemesis, who is now an Instagram mommy influencer, Abby.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Wiig joins a beefy cast headlined by Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, Camila Mendes as Teela, Jared Leto as his arch-nemesis Skeletor, and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn.
—Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Similarly, in an off-election year, a public fight with Democrats’ nemesis allows Newsom to remain in the national spotlight and rub shoulders with donors and activists, while fellow Democratic Senators, Representatives, and Governors are mostly out of the news.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
In February, it was announced she was cast in the forthcoming season to play Joanne’s former middle school nemesis, who is now an Instagram mommy influencer, Abby.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
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Notably, Bernthal’s take on the vigilante was featured in two seasons of Netflix’s The Punisher before it was canceled in 2019.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
-
And in 2017, the title poem of my collection, Crossing the Border, satirized vigilante border patrols that hunt immigrants like animals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That the Sky’s punishment will last longer than five minutes is merely a reflection of their place in the standings.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Inter Miami players Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles, and Seattle Sounders staff member Steven Lenhart, received multiple game suspensions from the 2026 Leagues Cup as punishment for their behavior during a post-game brawl following Sunday’s Leagues Cup final.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Now, the princess must gather enough strength from herself and her triplet brothers to undo a curse.—
Sydni Ellis,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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As rocks and curses flew from the street, bullets spat from the middle window on the south side of the house.—
Neal Rubin,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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An important, if subtle, difference between Meiko Kaji and Pam Grier as action stars is that, where Kaji is an avenger, Grier is a protector.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
20 Aug. 2025
-
May God be the ultimate avenger.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The New York Yankees are suddenly the hottest team in the American League, and the Chicago White Sox have become the latest team to feel their wrath.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
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Some people work out at the gym, while others start doomscrolling, meanwhile, those with competing priorities and tight deadlines often raise their voices at those who don't deserve your wrath.—
Dr. Cynthia J. Young,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Inclement weather has long been the bane of festivals and outdoor tours, and differentiating between climate change and a stretch of bad storms can be tricky.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
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In the first episode, my friend Anthony, who’s also a cameraman on the show, talks about vertical video being the bane of society.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Trump is trying to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a law historically used for imposing economic sanctions and other penalties on foreign enemies.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Courtney Crown, senior media specialist at the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), explained there are no penalties in place for school districts that fail to report employee injury data.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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It was postponed indefinitely due to the federal takeover threat.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
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The threats are sometimes even leveled against family members.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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