Jump to:

• nemesis
  nemesis

  noun

  something that a person cannot conquer, achieve, etc..
• Nemesis
  Nemesis

  noun

  Greek myth the goddess of retribution and vengeance

nemesis

American  

[nem-uh-sis] / ˈnɛm ə sɪs /

noun

plural

nemeses

1. something that a person cannot conquer, achieve, etc..

   The performance test proved to be my nemesis.

   Synonyms:

   Waterloo

2. an opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome.

3. (initial capital letter) the goddess of divine retribution.

4. an agent or act of retribution or punishment.

   Synonyms:

   Waterloo, ruin, undoing, downfall

---

Nemesis British  

/ ˈnɛmɪsɪs /

noun

1. Greek myth the goddess of retribution and vengeance

2. (sometimes not capital) any agency of retribution and vengeance

---

Nemesis Cultural  

1. In classical mythology, the Greek goddess of vengeance.

---

Discover More

By extension, a “nemesis” is an avenger. One's nemesis is that which will bring on one's destruction or downfall.

Etymology

Origin of nemesis

< Latin < Greek némesis literally, a dealing out, verbid of némein to dispense (justice); see -sis

Explanation

Use the word nemesis to describe someone or something that always causes you major problems, like the runner on another school's track team who, for years, has been beating your time by a fraction of a second. The word nemesis describes a rival who just somehow seems able to get the best of you. It can be someone you compete against, someone whose skills are nearly identical to yours and yet, your nemesis always seems to finish ahead of you, get a higher grade, and generally make you feel flustered. Nemesis can also refer to something that always causes you problems, like public speaking, the nemesis of those who get tongue-tied when nervous.

Example Sentences

After a fight broke out between those activists and the Jeune Garde, the Nemesis women left.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

The park said it was a real "milestone" to see Nemesis Reborn operating.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2024

The god Nemesis then curses Narcissus, causing him to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water.

From Scientific American • Aug. 16, 2023

Mr. O’Neill and Mr. Mills would go on to create the popular series Nemesis the Warlock, about a fire-breathing alien demon — the hero — in battle against a fanatically religious human dictator.

From New York Times • Nov. 12, 2022

Leo agreed with Nemesis about one thing: good luck was a sham.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• adversary