1
capitalized : the Greek goddess of retributive justice
2
plural nemeses ˈne-mə-ˌsēz How to pronounce nemesis (audio)
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

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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).

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
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Black-robed Trump nemeses emerged as a menacing force during the first Trump administration. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 Last month, Sam Altman, the C.E.O. of OpenAI and perhaps Musk’s primary nemesis, launched a five-hundred-billion-dollar data-center initiative called Stargate with the coöperation of Trump. Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 12 Feb. 2025 In The Incredible Hulk, Hurt portrayed Bruce Banner’s (Edward Norton, before Mark Ruffalo took over the MCU role) nemesis Gen. Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross, who is also the father of Bruce’s scientist love interest Betty Ross (Liv Tyler). Natalie Sitek, Deadline, 12 Feb. 2025 On cue, the crowd loudly booed the introduction of Dodgers nemesis Tommy Lasorda, the National League manager. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for nemesis 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of nemesis was in 1561

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Cite this Entry

“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nemesis. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

nemesis

noun
1
a
: one that punishes or avenges
b
: a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent
2
: an act or instance of just punishment

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