First Known Use: 1561
Dictionary
nemesis
noun nem·e·sis \ˈne-mə-səs\
: an opponent or enemy that is very difficult to defeat
Full Definition of NEMESIS
1
capitalized : the Greek goddess of retributive justice
2
plural nem·e·ses \-ˌsēz\ a : one that inflicts retribution or vengeance b : a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent
3
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Examples of NEMESIS
- On just the kind of putt that had been a career-long nemesis, he kept his head perfectly still and knocked the ball squarely in the hole. —Jaime Diaz, Sports Illustrated, 20 Feb. 1995
- Japan and Iraq have been floated as possible successors for the role once filled by Amercia's old nemesis, the Soviet Union … —Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 18 June 1993
- In the beginning were the words, winged at first until, paralysed, they fell to earth and were imprisoned by their nemesis, the alphabet. —Erich Segal, Times Literary Supplement, 12 July 1991
- Thus, once surgeons implant the new graft, tissue rejection—the unforgiving nemesis of most transplant attempts—occurs in only 3% to 5% of cases. —Christine Gorman et al., Time, 7 Dec. 1987
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Origin of NEMESIS
Latin, from Greek
Related to NEMESIS
Rhymes with NEMESIS
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