nemesis

[nem-uh-sis]

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

/ ˈnɛmɪsɪs /

noun

1. Greek myth the goddess of retribution and vengeance

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

Nemesis

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of nemesis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of nemesis¹

C16: via Latin from Greek: righteous wrath, from némein to distribute what is due

Example Sentences

Even as their nemesis prowled the nursery, the Horrible Incorrigibles whined, punched, dueled, and pirouetted all the way to the bakehouse.

Read more on Literature

The official trailer for the sequel shows the chirpy red-capped Italian plumber cavorting with his friends and nemeses in a colourful intergalactic universe.

Read more on Barron's

Field Marshal Munir has consolidated power at home by imprisoning his nemesis, the popular former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and by tightening the army’s grip on domestic affairs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Promoted to No 3, Jemimah played the innings of a lifetime, steering India past a record target against their long-time nemesis - the Australians who had thwarted India's ICC dreams for over a decade.

Read more on BBC

Barely a week ago, they were cheekily leaning into their infamy like a Bond nemesis.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• adversary