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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

Former Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack would still be alive if the coach of the women's team - described in court as her "nemesis" - had not been employed, her mother has told an inquest.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

It appears He-Man has not seen the last of his nemesis — as long as a sequel is greenlit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026

Busch’s most famous public feud was with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., the scion of racing royalty and Busch’s on-track nemesis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 23, 2026

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

They soon discovered that the problem was that old nemesis, contamination.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Reporters for Le Monde viewed about 10 videos of the incident and concluded that the small Nemesis group of only five or six women was surrounded by a group of male far-right activists, including Deranque.

From Salon ● Mar. 28, 2026

Manchester-based Nemesis Model Agency said he was "respected by everyone who worked with him."

From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2025

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

I knew him, of course: Ethan Nakamura, the son of Nemesis.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan

But that teaches another more cautionary lesson about collecting nemeses: Salieri never figured out how to channel his gnawing envy into motivation.

From Salon ● May 16, 2026

Finally, ceilings necessarily keep any number of nemeses out.

From Slate ● May 9, 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

Folks informed on business rivals, ancient nemeses, and neighbors, recounting old conversations where the traitors had uttered forbidden sympathies.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

Related Words

• adversary