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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

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

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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.

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

Plus, a Trump nemesis loses the Louisiana primary, New Jerseyans are reluctant World Cup hosts and distillers struggle to sell bourbon.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 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

Persistent rumors have linked James to Cleveland, while another possibility is the Golden State Warriors, his longtime nemesis.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

Lance Barber will eventually rejoin as screenwriter Paulie G., Valerie’s old nemesis.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

My nemesis and I were being forced to work together!

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

• adversary