nemesis
NEM-uh-sis
/ˈneməsɪs/
A long-standing rival; an arch-enemy; or a downfall caused by an inescapable agent.
Suggests an opponent who is perfectly matched or a fate that cannot be avoided.
The story behind the word. In Greek mythology, Nemesis was the goddess of divine retribution. She was particularly concerned with punishing 'hubris' (excessive pride). She ensured that no human had too much good fortune without a corresponding share of sorrow.
Word relationships
- adversary: A general term for an opponent.
- rival: Someone competing for the same objective.
- ally: A person or group that cooperates with another.
- confederate: A person one works with, especially in something secret or illegal.
Commonly confused with
- enemy: An 'enemy' is someone you hate; a 'nemesis' is someone who specifically brings about your defeat.
Collocations
- meet one's nemesis
- arch-nemesis
- long-time nemesis
Example sentences
- "Professor Moriarty was the only man Sherlock Holmes considered his true nemesis." Literature
- "The defending champion finally met his nemesis in the young rookie from Spain." Sports
Memory hook
'Nemesis' sounds like 'Name-sis'. Imagine a sister whose 'name' you can't stand because she beats you at everything. The unbeatable rival.
When not to use
Don't use for a minor annoyance or a one-time opponent.
Fun facts
- In astronomy, 'Nemesis' is the name of a hypothetical star that some scientists once thought caused periodic mass extinctions on Earth.
Related words
Explore more words
enmity, antagonist, hubris, antipathy, relentless, inevitable
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.