noun
Uncommon
nemesis
NEH-muh-sihs
Nemesis (noun) means a person's worst enemy or greatest rival — someone who always seems to oppose or defeat them. Example: “The detective finally came face to face with his old nemesis.”
noun
1
A person's worst enemy or greatest rival — someone who always seems to oppose or defeat them.
"The detective finally came face to face with his old nemesis."
"For years, that team was our nemesis in the championship game."
2
A downfall or defeat that someone thoroughly deserves and cannot escape; a form of poetic justice.
"His own greed became his nemesis in the end."
How to use nemesis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishYour nemesis is the rival or enemy who always seems to be your downfall.
Common mistake
Nemesis is usually one specific rival, not enemies in general — it implies a personal, recurring rivalry.
Common pairings
archenemy and nemesis
his old nemesis
meet your nemesis
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Word forms
- Plural
- nemeses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The detective finally came face to face with his old _____.
Etymology
From Nemesis, the Greek goddess who punished human arrogance and wrongdoing with fitting retribution.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for nemesis
thesis
genesis
exegesis
diaeresis
anamnesis
apheresis
synthesis
antithesis
epenthesis
hypothesis
prosthesis
abiogenesis
See all rhymes for nemesis →
Frequently asked questions
What does “nemesis” mean?
The word “nemesis” means a person's worst enemy or greatest rival — someone who always seems to oppose or defeat them. In plain terms, your nemesis is the rival or enemy who always seems to be your downfall.
How do you pronounce “nemesis”?
“Nemesis” is pronounced NEH-muh-sihs (/ˈnɛməsɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “nemesis” in a sentence?
Here is “nemesis” used in a sentence: “The detective finally came face to face with his old nemesis.”
What part of speech is “nemesis”?
“Nemesis” is a noun.
Where does the word “nemesis” come from?
The word “nemesis” comes from Greek. From Nemesis, the Greek goddess who punished human arrogance and wrongdoing with fitting retribution.
Is “nemesis” a common word?
“Nemesis” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nemesis” have?
“Nemesis” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person's worst enemy or greatest rival — someone who always seems to oppose or defeat them.
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