nemisis

Noun

nemesis (plural nemeses)

1. An enemy, especially an archenemy.
   • Batman is in constant conflict with his nemesis, The Joker.
2. A person or character who specifically brings about the downfall of another person or character, as an agent of that character's fate or destiny, especially within a narrative.
3. The personification of the "fatal flaw" of a dramatic hero in the style of Greek tragedy.
4. Polar opposite, especially of a literary character.
   • “And then, while he's devouring you with his stare, thinking about how much he wants to lick you up, along comes his antithesis, his polar opposite, his nemesis for want of a better word—” “Nemesis?” I interrupted, eyebrows journeying up my forehead. “—who swoops you off your feet and away from...2020 January 13, Lexxie Couper, Unconditional, Lexxie Couper, →ISBN
5. The principle of retributive justice.
6. (formal, singular, usually) A punishment or defeat that is deserved and cannot be avoided; (an instance of) retribution.
   • Even Nathan's close associates, who are not yet ready to declare themselves his enemies, accept that his engineered downfall will be his nemesis for harbouring ambitions beyond his status, and do nothing to alert him to the situation[…]2021 November 8, Linzy Erika Dickinson, Theatre in Balzac's La Comedie humaine, BRILL, →ISBN, page 90

See all 9 meanings of nemesis