nemesis means the goddess of divine retribution. It carries an Arena rating of 1895, earned across 34 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, nemesis ranks #45 of 17,127 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #358 of 17,104 for Most Storied Words, #662 of 17,126 for Most Elegant Words, #717 of 17,134 for Most Malleable Words.
nemesis is pronounced /ˈnɛməsɪs/.
Why “nemesis” is a great word
A formidable and usually victorious opponent or agent of downfall, often seen as an embodiment of retributive justice. From the Greek goddess of retribution Nemesis (Ancient Greek Νέμεσις (Némesis), from νέμειν (némein, "to allot, distribute"), hence "righteous distribution" or "retribution"). Unlike a rival, who competes for a common prize, or an adversary, who is a general opponent, a nemesis is a figure of fatal, narrative gravity—the precise, righteous apportionment of one’s due. It is the long-delayed letter bearing news of ruin, the quiet shadow that finally eclipses your sun, and the singular face that waits, implacable, at the end of every path your pride has chosen. Nemesis does not compete; it collects.
Etymology
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Νέμεσις (Némesis, “Nemesis, goddess of retribution”).
name
- The goddess of divine retribution.
- 128 Nemesis, a main belt asteroid.
- A hypothetical star postulated to be orbiting the Sun to explain a perceived cycle of mass extinctions in the geological record.
noun
- An enemy, especially an archenemy.e.g.“Batman is in constant conflict with his nemesis, The Joker.”
- 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.
- The personification of the "fatal flaw" of a dramatic hero in the style of Greek tragedy.
- Polar opposite, especially of a literary character.
- The principle of retributive justice.
- A punishment or defeat that is deserved and cannot be avoided; (an instance of) retribution.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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