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Nemesis

Definitions and Meaning in English

1. A long-standing rival or enemy, often one that is difficult to defeat.
2. A source of harm or ruin, especially one that brings about retribution or punishment.
3. A person or force that causes someone’s downfall, especially as a result of their own actions.
4. In mythology, the goddess of vengeance and retribution, often depicted as the one who punishes hubris.
5. A situation or event that is the inevitable consequence of previous actions or decisions.

History and Origin

The word “nemesis” comes from the Greek nêmesis, meaning “distribution of what is due” or “retribution,” derived from nemein, meaning “to give what is due.” In Greek mythology, Nemesis was the goddess who enacted divine retribution against those who succumbed to hubris, or excessive pride. Over time, the term “nemesis” evolved in English to describe a formidable opponent or a force that brings about inevitable punishment or defeat. It entered English in the 16th century, initially referring to the goddess, but later adopted the broader sense it holds today.

Detailed Explanation

“Nemesis” is most commonly used to refer to a person or thing that causes a downfall or serves as an opponent who is impossible to overcome, often through an inevitable sequence of events. In a broader sense, it can refer to an enemy or rival that one cannot escape or defeat, especially when the rival’s power or influence is seen as unstoppable. The term carries a connotation of justice or retribution, implying that the nemesis is not just an opponent but one who ensures that wrongdoings or arrogance are punished.

The use of “nemesis” can also imply that the downfall of the individual is self-inflicted, often as a result of their own actions, decisions, or flaws. This makes the nemesis a symbolic force of justice or fate.

Example Sentences

1. The detective’s nemesis was a criminal mastermind who always seemed one step ahead.
2. His refusal to listen to advice became his nemesis in the end.
3. The company’s financial mismanagement was its own nemesis, leading to bankruptcy.
4. She finally confronted her nemesis, the rival athlete who had beaten her for years.
5. The hero faced his nemesis on the battlefield, knowing that only one would leave alive.
6. The corporation’s greed proved to be its nemesis, as public outrage grew.
7. The villain in the story is portrayed as the hero’s nemesis, always working against him.
8. His inability to adapt to change was his professional nemesis.
9. The film’s plot centers around the hero’s struggle against his ultimate nemesis.

Synonyms with Short Explanation

1. Rival – A person or entity that competes against another, often in a hostile manner.
2. Adversary – An opponent or enemy, especially in a conflict or competition.
3. Foe – Another term for an enemy, often used to describe an antagonist in conflict.
4. Antagonist – The character or force in a story or situation that opposes the protagonist, much like a nemesis.
5. Enemy – A person or group that actively opposes someone, similar to a nemesis in certain contexts.

Related Words with Short Explanation

1. Revenge – The act of seeking retaliation, often associated with a nemesis who brings about retribution.
2. Retribution – A punishment or justice for wrongdoings, frequently linked with the concept of a nemesis.
3. Downfall – The fall or ruin of someone, often caused by their nemesis.
4. Karma – The belief that actions will return to the individual, sometimes in the form of a nemesis.
5. Justice – The concept of fairness or moral rightness, often represented by the nemesis in myth or story.

More Matches with Short Explanation

1. Villain – A character or person in a story who opposes the hero, similar to a nemesis.
2. Antagonism – Hostility or opposition, often between a nemesis and their target.
3. Defeat – The act of being overcome by an opponent, often at the hands of a nemesis.
4. Wrath – Intense anger or retribution, often a motivating factor for a nemesis.
5. Persecutor – A person who oppresses or harasses another, akin to the role of a nemesis.

Antonyms

1. Ally
2. Friend
3. Supporter
4. Champion
5. Protector