nemesis
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.”
How to use nemesis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishYour nemesis is the rival or enemy who always seems to be your downfall.
Nemesis is usually one specific rival, not enemies in general — it implies a personal, recurring rivalry.
Word forms
nemeses plural
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
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Rhymes for nemesis
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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