nemesis

noun

nem·​e·​sis ˈne-mə-səs 

1

capitalized : the Greek goddess of retributive justice

2

plural nemeses ˈne-mə-ˌsēz 

a

: one that inflicts retribution or vengeance

Many a pursued man fell before his nemesis in the streets …

—Agnes Morely Cleaveland

b

: a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent

The team was defeated by its old nemesis.

3

plural nemeses

a

: an act or effect of retribution

… pursue them with the nemesis of outraged humanity.

—Donald Culross Peattie

b

: bane sense 1

A nemesis of humankind since the first hand slapped the first cheek, mosquitoes have bitten their way into the American experience …

—Jack Cox

Did you know?

Nemesis and Greek Mythology

Nemesis was the Greek goddess of vengeance, a deity who doled out rewards for noble acts and punishment for evil ones. The Greeks believed that Nemesis didn't always punish an offender immediately but might wait generations to avenge a crime. In English, nemesis originally referred to someone who brought a just retribution, but nowadays people are more likely to see simple animosity rather than justice in the actions of a nemesis (consider the motivations of Batman’s perennial foe the Joker, for example).

Synonyms

• vigilante
• avenger
• punisher

Examples of nemesis in a Sentence

On just the kind of putt that had been a career-long nemesis, he kept his head perfectly still and knocked the ball squarely in the hole. —Jaime Diaz, Sports Illustrated, 20 Feb. 1995

Japan and Iraq have been floated as possible successors for the role once filled by Amercia's old nemesis, the Soviet Union … —Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 18 June 1993

In the beginning were the words, winged at first until, paralysed, they fell to earth and were imprisoned by their nemesis, the alphabet. —Erich Segal, Times Literary Supplement, 12 July 1991

Thus, once surgeons implant the new graft, tissue rejection—the unforgiving nemesis of most transplant attempts—occurs in only 3% to 5% of cases. —Christine Gorman et al., Time, 7 Dec. 1987

He will be playing his old nemesis for the championship.

Batman is the Joker's main nemesis and always foils his wicked plots.

Recent Examples on the Web

Newsom and Trump are long time nemeses whose latest public dispute centered around Trump circumventing Newsom to send military troops to California to monitor protests against Trump’s deportation policies. —Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

The third book in the Arcana Oracle series finds heroine Pamela kidnapped by a mysterious force who reports to her nemesis, Aleister. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 June 2025

She’s said her character is Joanne’s middle school nemesis. —Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 18 June 2025

Buffalo Bills who could never beat Bill Belichick marvel as mysticism fades: ‘His image has changed’ The Bills from the drought era can't help but chuckle at the state of their longtime nemesis. —Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, borrowed from Greek némesis "retribution, righteous anger, blame," probably derivative (with -esis, analogically extended form of -sis, -tis, suffix of action nouns) of némein "to rule, distribute, apportion" — more at nimble

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nemesis

• emesis
• hematemesis

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Kids Definition

nemesis

noun

nem·​e·​sis ˈnem-ə-səs 

plural nemeses -ə-ˌsēz 

1

a

: one that punishes or avenges

b

: a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent

2

: an act or instance of just punishment