Definition of nemesisnext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of nemesis The Kardashian comment was no doubt pointed at Kim Kardashian, a famous nemesis of Swift’s. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 11 June 2026 The actors played each other's nemeses in the comedy series created by and starring Seth Rogen. Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026 Is dish soap the ultimate cast-iron skillet nemesis? Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 4 June 2026 After the zapfest on Earth, the anti-climactic tussle between the forces of good and evil occurs back on Eternia, where He-Man and his nemesis cross swords in a clumsy fight that’s not only predictable but also photographed and edited poorly. Jeffrey Ressner, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
  • The first film, starring Robert Pattinson in the titular role, sees Bruce Wayne navigate his second year as Gotham's resident vigilante when a serial killer goes after several prominent public figures.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
  • For a storyteller whose works revolve around complicated or slippery romances, life-altering revelations, and fateful everyday encounters, the brutality of the mafia and New York City street vigilantes feels far removed from her own.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Guéhi avoided punishment, though the FA prohibits players from displaying religious messages.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 June 2026
  • The team did not immediately respond to an email asking who the players were, whether the players would speak to Fox News and whether there would be further punishment for the players.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Such is the blessing and curse of summer produce.
    Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 June 2026
  • The Curse of Billy Penn lived on for decades, and now the modern-day Rocky statue curse appears to have claimed its latest victim.
    Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • And it was signed, black dahlia avenger.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Anthropic has advocated for more stringent AI regulations — at times incurring the wrath of the Pentagon and White House — while OpenAI has pushed a more hands-off approach.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
  • Because Cleveland was the visiting club, Steven Kwan drew his wrath.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • Now, decades later, weekday lunches have become the bane of my existence.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
  • Thankfully, the in-room fax machines that were the bane of Bob Harris’ existence are long gone, too.
    Carrie Bell, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • The government recently announced another recruitment drive, offering to pay off debts of up to $140,000 for men who sign up and might otherwise face penalties for defaulting.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • Under Florida law, a first-time DUI conviction can carry penalties that include fines, probation, community service and a driver's license suspension, though any potential penalties in this case would depend on the outcome of court proceedings.
    Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on nemesis

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster