arch-enemies
Mortal adversaries forever
Arch-enemies are the most intense or significant enemies—rivals whose opposition defines a relationship.
The prefix arch- intensifies enemy to suggest a primary or supreme antagonist: Batman and the Joker are arch-enemies.
The term appears in fiction, politics, and casual use for any deeply opposed pair: The two companies have been arch-enemies for decades.
Persistent source of ruin
- rivalsThose who compete
- foesHostile opponents
- opponentsThose who compete against
- antagonistsOpponents in conflict
villains · archenemies · combatants · challengers · contenders · adversary · foil · opposite number
One admired for courage
- villainWicked story antagonist
- protagonistStory's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- superheroPowered champion against evil
supervillain · Joker · Lex Luthor · Moriarty · backstory · origin story · archrival · showdown
nemesis
Persistent source of ruin
antagonists · villains · archenemies · combatants · challengers · contenders · adversary · foil · opposite number · counterpart
hero
One admired for courage
- villainWicked story antagonist
- protagonistStory's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
superhero · supervillain · Joker · Lex Luthor · Moriarty · backstory · origin story · archrival · showdown · final battle
feud
Bitter ongoing rivalry
- vendettaProlonged retaliatory conflict
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
battle · clash · showdown · confrontation · struggle · hostility · animosity · antagonism · grudge · hatred
- Rogues Gallerymugshots, wanted posters, booking photos, criminal records, repeat offenders
arch-enemiesbest friends
Closest mutual companions
bosom buddies · soulmates · kindred spirits · blood brothers · fast friends
arch-enemiespartners
Joint venture participants
collaborators · comrades · confederates · teammates · co-conspirators
arch, enemy, enemies, arched, arches, arching, archer, archway, archbishop