nemesis
noun /ˈneməsɪs/
/ˈneməsɪs/
(plural nemeses
(formal) /ˈneməsiːz/
/ˈneməsiːz/
)- [countable] the person or thing that causes somebody to lose their power, position, etc. and that cannot be avoided
- Has she finally met her nemesis?
- [countable] a person or thing that has competed with somebody or been an enemy for a long time
- He strode out to face his old nemesis.
- [uncountable, singular] punishment or defeat that is deserved and cannot be avoided
- This over-ambitious project eventually proved to be the company’s nemesis.
Word Originlate 16th cent.: Greek, literally ‘retribution’, from nemein ‘give what is due’.