arch-enemy
Greatest sworn foe
An arch-enemy is someone's principal or most significant adversary—the one enemy who stands above all others.
The prefix arch- means chief or primary, so an arch-enemy isn't just any opponent but *the* opponent: Batman's arch-enemy is the Joker.
The term appears frequently in comic books and adventure stories, though it works for real rivalries too: She considered her former business partner her arch-enemy.
Principal mortal enemy
- bête noireDetested person or thing
- blood feudInherited cycle of retribution
- vendettaProlonged retaliatory conflict
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
retribution · vengeance · payback · tormentor · persecutor · bane · affliction · curse
One who opposes another
- foeHostile opponent
- opponentOne who contends against
- rivalOne who competes against
- combatantOne who fights
aggressor · assailant · hostile · belligerent · opposer · obstructor · saboteur · resister
Struggle for supremacy
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- conflictOpposition between parties
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
battle · clash · duel · face-off · matchup · standoff · struggle · war
One who causes harm
- malefactorOne who does harm
- wrongdoerPerson who misbehaves
- criminalPerson who breaks laws
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
supervillain · conspirator · traitor · betrayer · deceiver · schemer · manipulator · tyrant
Direct opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- oppositeReverse or contrary thing
- counterpartCorresponding person or thing
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
- shadow selfUnconscious rejected aspects
doppelganger · inverse · contrast · counterpoint · reflection · antipode · alter ego · reverse
Source of potential harm
- dangerExposure to harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
malevolence · malice · spite · aggression · antagonism · looming · formidable · relentless
archfoe
Principal mortal enemy
- bête noireDetested person or thing
- blood feudInherited cycle of retribution
- vendettaProlonged retaliatory conflict
grudge · retribution · vengeance · payback · tormentor · persecutor · bane · affliction · curse · scourge
antagonist
One who opposes another
combatant · aggressor · assailant · hostile · belligerent · opposer · obstructor · saboteur · resister · challenger
competition
Struggle for supremacy
confrontation · battle · clash · duel · face-off · matchup · standoff · struggle · war · opposition
evildoer
One who causes harm
- malefactorOne who does harm
- wrongdoerPerson who misbehaves
- criminalPerson who breaks laws
mastermind · supervillain · conspirator · traitor · betrayer · deceiver · schemer · manipulator · tyrant · oppressor
antithesis
Direct opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- oppositeReverse or contrary thing
- counterpartCorresponding person or thing
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
shadow self · doppelganger · inverse · contrast · counterpoint · reflection · antipode · alter ego · reverse · other half
menace
Source of potential harm
- dangerExposure to harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
terror · malevolence · malice · spite · aggression · antagonism · looming · formidable · relentless · implacable
- villainsvillain, antagonists, Darth Vader, evil characters, Joker
- angeranger, rage, fury, wrath, ire
- comicscomic books, comic book, comic strip, comic art, comic panel
- supervillainsJoker, Lex Luthor, Magneto, Doctor Doom, Thanos
arch-enemybest friend
Most trusted companion
bosom friend · soulmate · kindred spirit · trusted confidant · blood brother
arch-enemysuperhero
Powered champion against evil
hero · protagonist · savior · champion · white knight