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
Mascherano expected Nashville players and their fans to be highly motivated to win at home against their nemesis.
—
Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Your Red Sox host their biggest nemesis, the New York Yankees, on Saturday, June 27.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Your Red Sox host their biggest nemesis, the New York Yankees, on Saturday, June 27.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
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In the Season 2 premiere, the task force is destroying local businesses on Fisk’s orders and cracking down on vigilantes prowling the streets.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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The lead character, Jack Reacher, is a former military policeman who solves crimes as a vigilante.—
Austin Mullen,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the message did not say what happened or if any students faced punishment .—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
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Georgia lawmakers have approved a bill creating more legal punishments for protesters and others who obstruct the state's streets and highways.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Jessie Buckley broke the Chanel curse on Sunday while winning for her leading role in Hamnet.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The family curse was alive and well.—
Jennifer Wolfgram,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 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
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And it was signed, black dahlia avenger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Due to these restrictions, House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) outlined some provisions to skirt the Senate parliamentarian’s wrath.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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The trio in its entirety seemed to have weighed at least three pounds, leading me to believe that Bob’s isn’t too fazed by inflation or the overall food cost margins that seem to be the bane of every restaurateur’s existence.—
Andre James,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Mar. 2026
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The bane of every dictator Freedom of the press is the bane of every dictator.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Mar. 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 Red Wings got back in the game later in the period, aided by the B’s, who took two offensive zone penalties, first a trip by Kastelic and then a hook from Casey Mittelstadt (the second one was a bit ticky-tack).—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
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If Doncic’s technical foul is not rescinded by the league, Doncic will have to serve a one-game suspension against the Detroit Pistons on Monday night – the penalty for accumulating 16 technical fouls.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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