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• 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

• nemeses
  plural

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

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Nemesis British  

/ ˈnɛmɪsɪs /

noun

1. Greek myth the goddess of retribution and vengeance

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

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Nemesis Cultural  

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

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Discover More

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• nemeses
  plural

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

See Examples For:

nemesis Nemesis nemeses

Of course, the hazard of Pogacar’s attacking is that he can drag along a strong nemesis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

But that night in Oslo somehow transformed Norway into England’s most unlikely nemesis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026

After all, he pointed out, even Iran was making accommodations with the United States, its longtime nemesis.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026

His mistake was to try to destroy a man whose greatest nemesis was himself, and that singular, burning focus of Mozart’s earned him immortality regardless of what his haters threw at him.

From Salon ● May 16, 2026

And best of all, they’ll be playing against Papi’s arch nemesis, Manny Cruz.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

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

Twenty years have passed since audiences last saw Lieutenant Commander Worf in action, in "Star Trek: Nemesis."

From Salon ● Mar. 2, 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

Alton Towers famous Nemesis rollercoaster is to close this weekend for a major revamp after almost 30 years of exciting thrill seekers.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2022

Soon you will face a problem you cannot solve, Nemesis had said, though I could help you.for a price.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

But the lasting lesson “Amadeus” teaches us is that real stars have nemeses.

From Salon ● May 16, 2026

As they take the show on tour, there's a quick but beautiful shot of Williams watching from under the stage, flashing a quick thumbs up at his former nemeses as they perform Rule The World.

From BBC ● Jan. 27, 2026

By defeating one of the franchise’s historic nemeses, the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks claimed their first title in 52 torturous years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025

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

From Barron's ● Nov. 13, 2025

We tried to pretend the other didn’t exist even though the existence of our nemeses kept us both occupied for hours.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

Related Words

• adversary