Definition of NEMESIS (original) (raw)
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
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 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
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
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.
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 
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
Dictionary Entries Near nemesis
Cite this Entry
“Nemesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nemesis. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.
Share
More from Merriam-Webster on nemesis
Last Updated: 3 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!