arch-nemesis
Ultimate mortal foe
An arch-nemesis is someone's principal enemy or rival—the one antagonist who stands above all others.
The prefix arch- means chief or preeminent, so an arch-nemesis isn't just any opponent but *the* opponent: Batman's arch-nemesis is the Joker.
The term appears most often in comic books and adventure fiction, though it's used loosely for any longstanding rivalry: My arch-nemesis from high school showed up at the reunion.
Wicked story antagonist
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- supervillainPowerful fictional evil antagonist
- foeHostile opponent
- rivalOne who competes against
Joker · Lex Luthor · Moriarty · sworn enemy · comic book · superhero · showdown · origin story
Enemy in conflict
- opponentOne who contends against
- competitorOne striving against others
- bitter rivalHostile, longstanding competitor
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
vendetta · feud · animosity · hatred · enmity · clash · conflict · obsession
Reflective viewing surface
- counterpartCorresponding person or thing
- shadow selfUnconscious rejected aspects
- equalIdentical in amount
- matchGame between opponents
foil · opposite · antithesis · alter ego · doppelganger · yin and yang · balance · complementary
villain
Wicked story antagonist
- antagonistOne who opposes another
- supervillainPowerful fictional evil antagonist
- foeHostile opponent
rival · Joker · Lex Luthor · Moriarty · sworn enemy · comic book · superhero · showdown · origin story · confrontation
adversary
Enemy in conflict
- opponentOne who contends against
- competitorOne striving against others
- bitter rivalHostile, longstanding competitor
grudge · vendetta · feud · animosity · hatred · enmity · clash · conflict · obsession · blood feud
mirror
Reflective viewing surface
- counterpartCorresponding person or thing
- shadow selfUnconscious rejected aspects
- equalIdentical in amount
match · foil · opposite · antithesis · alter ego · doppelganger · yin and yang · balance · complementary · parallel
- villainsvillain, antagonists, Darth Vader, evil characters, Joker
- comic tropessecret identity, origin story, superpowers, sidekick, supervillain
- Sherlock HolmesSherlock Holmes, Watson, Baker Street, Moriarty, Mrs. Hudson
arch-nemesisbest friend
Most trusted companion
soulmate · bosom buddy · kindred spirit · beloved · confidant
arch, nemesis, arched, arches, arching, archway, archbishop, archenemy, archduke