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
Following two underwhelming seasons with some ill-fitting Orlando Magic rosters, Vogel was brought in to coach his one-time playoff nemesis, LeBron James, and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019-20.
—
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
There’s an understanding among DEI-advocating nonprofits that their ideological nemeses are utilizing bots to flag certain key terms in their public-facing literature.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
Naturally, Rand, the Dark One’s nemesis, is tops on their hit list.
—Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Both qualities suggest he’ll be easily manipulated by the senior senator from his home state, who ultimately becomes Smith’s saboteur and nemesis when the scales fall from the younger man’s eyes.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
There’s an understanding among DEI-advocating nonprofits that their ideological nemeses are utilizing bots to flag certain key terms in their public-facing literature.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2025
Naturally, Rand, the Dark One’s nemesis, is tops on their hit list.
—Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Both qualities suggest he’ll be easily manipulated by the senior senator from his home state, who ultimately becomes Smith’s saboteur and nemesis when the scales fall from the younger man’s eyes.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nemesis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nemesis
Noun
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So there's going to be people, vigilantes, superheroes that are involved in that.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Just as Matt realizes one of the officers killed White Tiger (Kamar de los Reyes), a grenade is launched through the window, and the two vigilantes painfully jump down to the street.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The solution lies in addressing our housing shortage, not punishment.—
David Bonaccorsi,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
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In cases of employment, housing, and public accommodation, by simply using one’s freedom of speech to utter a biologically factual pronoun, a person could find him or herself in the crosshairs of a Colorado Civil Rights Division investigation and punishment or possibly a lawsuit.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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After turning undead and hiding her bite wound, Mary easily gets permission to re-enter the building, and quickly seduces Stack, before murdering him and infecting him with the vampire curse.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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And a deadly curse that turns their reality into a waking nightmare.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Columbia University was among the first colleges to face the wrath of Donald Trump, whose administration canceled $400 million of funding and arrested two student protesters.—
Dan Alexander,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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This isn’t the first time Khan has faced the wrath of India’s Hindu right.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Charging my Apple Watch every day is the bane of my existence, and despite years of efforts to improve it, the closest that Apple has come is to launch … fast charging?—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
24 Apr. 2025
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Light pollution is the bane of a stargazer’s existence.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In the race, a false start off the grid box handed him a five-second penalty, setting the tone for the rest of the grand prix which was more firefighting than front-running.—
Kanzah Maktoum,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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In addition, those age 59 and a half and under will likely face a 10% penalty on the withdrawal, unless the employer’s plan allows for hardship distributions, early withdrawals or loans from your plan account.—
Dr. Ronald Premuroso,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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For the moment, this means the U.S. Department of Education cannot make good on its threat to punish noncompliant districts by withholding vital federal funding, including dollars that help K-12 schools serve low-income students and children with disabilities.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2025
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The threat of a trade war sparked by President Trump’s tariffs has played a role in the state’s license plate quandary.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nemesis. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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