arch enemy

Most hated rival

An arch enemy is one's principal or most bitter adversary—the enemy who stands above all others in significance or hostility.

Arch here means chief or preeminent, as in archrival or archvillain.

The term appears frequently in comic books and adventure stories, where heroes face a single nemesis across multiple encounters: The Joker is Batman's arch enemy.

Also spelled archenemy.

nemesis

foe

Hostile opponent

antagonistOne who opposes another
rivalOne who competes against
adversaryEnemy in conflict

opponent · bane · tormentor · scourge · persecutor · foil · opposite number · counterforce · bitter rival · antithesis

fictional

Joker

Gotham's chaos-loving nemesis

Red SkullCrimson-faced Nazi antagonist
nemesisPersistent source of ruin
supervillainPowerful fictional evil antagonist

Lex Luthor · Moriarty · Voldemort · Magneto · Green Goblin · Doctor Doom · Darth Vader · Megatron · Blofeld · Skeletor

villain

mastermind

Scheme's chief planner

evildoerOne who causes harm
supervillainPowerful fictional evil antagonist
antagonistOne who opposes another

malefactor · tyrant · fiend · monster · baddie · schemer · criminal mastermind · evil genius · dark lord · big bad

conflict

rivalry

Ongoing contest between opponents

feudBitter ongoing rivalry
vendettaProlonged retaliatory conflict
animosityActive, bitter hostility

hatred · hostility · bad blood · showdown · confrontation · clash · war · strife · opposition · contention

Opposites

relational opposition

arch enemybest friend

Most trusted companion

soulmate · kindred spirit · bosom friend · trusted confidant · bosom buddy

intensity/significance

arch enemynobody

Inconsequential person

small fry · stranger · background character

threat level

arch enemyfriend

Non-kin mutual bond

ally · well-wisher · supporter · benefactor

Family

arch, enemy, arched, arches, arching, archway, enemies, enmity

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Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G