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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of nemesis
One of the four teams will likely fill the first wild-card spot, which means winning the Atlantic won’t be enough to avoid a first-round matchup with a recent playoff nemesis.
—
Jonas Siegel, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
As Superman's nemesis, Luthor is a villain who uses his evil brilliance to try to take him down.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 29 Dec. 2024
The party — run by Tarique Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Ms. Hasina’s arch nemesis — has chafed at being shut out of the commissions seeking to reimagine Bangladesh.
—Saif Hasnat Atul Loke, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
If frizz is your arch nemesis, this argan oil-rich formula is your new best friend.
—Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nemesis 
Jonas Siegel, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
As Superman's nemesis, Luthor is a villain who uses his evil brilliance to try to take him down.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 29 Dec. 2024
The party — run by Tarique Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Ms. Hasina’s arch nemesis — has chafed at being shut out of the commissions seeking to reimagine Bangladesh.
—Saif Hasnat Atul Loke, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
If frizz is your arch nemesis, this argan oil-rich formula is your new best friend.
—Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
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Mangione has also emerged as a symbol of the California wildfires and people's anger toward insurance companies, with many online hoping for vigilante justice against insurers.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
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Taking a break from their alter egos as vigilante Daredevil and crime lord Kingpin, these two seem to be chatting rather amiably — but there’s a bloody history lurking beneath their words.—
Christian Holub,
EW.com,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Fearing punishment for innie escape, Mark is instead received in the office as a hero.—
James Poniewozik,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2025
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The proposition won 68% of the vote, and walked back some of the features of Prop. 47, which voters passed a decade earlier to reduce punishments for non-violent crimes.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacramento Bee,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And anyone who believed in curses was gaining some evidence.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
19 Jan. 2025
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Cubs fan sabotages his own team and extends the most infamous curse in MLB history During Game 6 of the 2003 National League Division vs. the then-Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs fan Steve Bartman reached out and grabbed a ball that could have been caught.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Her enigmatic character runs a tight ship, and anyone not towing the line will receive her explosive wrath.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
7 Jan. 2025
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Moreover, Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Jurić have already felt the wrath of owners The Friedkin Group, with both coaches sacked within two months.—
David Ferrini,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Close losses have been the bane of their season so far, but games like Wednesday’s can help with stacking wins and quelling trade chatter, even if for just another day.—
James Jackson,
The Athletic,
2 Jan. 2025
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Long and variable lead times are the bane of a manufacturing supply chain.—
Steve Banker,
Forbes,
13 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Litigation in federal court can be expensive, and penalties for violations can include paying back proceeds to the trademark holder and additional punitive fines.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2025
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The penalties for being a boardroom laggard in digital, cybersecurity and systemic risk oversight are expanding and increasing.—
Bob Zukis,
Forbes,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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These traits have enabled them to avoid many of the threats faced by larger, more conspicuous sharks, such as overfishing and habitat destruction.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
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Minutes before the attack, Fedorov had warned of a threat of high-speed missiles and devastating glide bombs being fired at the Zaporizhzhia region.—
Illia Novikov,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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