WordGarden.ionemesis
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /nˈɛməsɪs/
US
- /ˈnɛməsɪs/
Meanings
Noun
a person's main rival or hard-to-defeat enemy
a thing or situation that repeatedly causes someone's defeat or frustration
Proper-noun
the Greek goddess of retribution or vengeance
Beyond the definition
A nemesis isn't just any enemy; it's the one who seems meant to oppose you, often showing up again and again in your life or story. Think of Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty. It suggests a deep rivalry in which each side helps define the other. You might have a personal nemesis: that friend who always beats you at board games, or a problem like public speaking that keeps getting the better of you.
The word comes from Greek mythology, where Nemesis was the goddess of retribution, giving out deserved punishment. Because of that, the word can also suggest a person or force that brings someone down. In stories, the hero often has a powerful nemesis that drives the plot forward.
A nemesis is more than simply an opponent or enemy. It is a rival, enemy, or force that keeps standing in your way and may even bring about your defeat. In many cases, a nemesis is not a one-time problem but a lasting one, returning again and again in a person's life or in a story. The idea often includes a strong sense of rivalry, where the struggle between the two sides becomes important to both of them.
The word comes from ancient Greek mythology, where Nemesis was the goddess of retribution, a figure connected with justice and punishment. That history explains why the word can mean more than just "enemy." A nemesis may feel like a force that brings consequences, especially when someone's weakness, pride, or repeated mistake finally catches up with them.
You might meet this idea in many contexts: in literature, in film, or in everyday life. It could be a rival who keeps challenging you, a person who always seems to beat you, or even an ongoing problem you cannot overcome easily. In stories, classic pairs such as Batman and the Joker show how a nemesis can shape the hero's path.
A true nemesis is not easily defeated. They force you to face your weaknesses, adjust, and define yourself through the struggle. So when the word is used, it usually points to more than a simple enemy. It suggests the main opponent, or the force most likely to cause someone's fall.
Examples
- 1
Longtime enemy
The detective finally caught the criminal who had been his nemesis for years.
- 2
Sports opponent
That team has been our nemesis all season.
- 3
Personal difficulty
Spelling has always been my nemesis.
- 4
Final opponent
In the final round, the champion faced her old nemesis.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Unexpected weakness
A simple math question proved to be his nemesis in the quiz.
- Patternprove to be someone’s nemesis
turn out to be the thing that defeats them
- 6
Business rival
After years of easy victories, the company met its nemesis in a smaller, faster rival.
- Patternmeet one’s nemesis
finally face someone or something that can defeat you
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- nemesisnoun
Forms
- nemesespluralnoun