archnemesis
Ultimate longtime foe
An archnemesis is someone's principal enemy or rival—the one antagonist who stands above all others.
The prefix arch- signals supremacy, so an archnemesis isn't just any opponent but *the* opponent: Batman's archnemesis is the Joker.
The term appears most often in discussions of fiction, comics, and superhero narratives, though it extends to real rivalries: The two senators had been archnemeses for decades.
Principal ongoing opponent
- sworn enemyVowed lifelong adversary
- counterpartCorresponding person or thing
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- opponentOne who contends against
challenger · contender · competition · matchup · showdown · clash · face-off · duel
Scheme's chief planner
- supervillainPowerful fictional evil antagonist
- evil geniusWicked yet brilliant schemer
- malefactorOne who does harm
- antagonistOne who opposes another
villain · schemer · plotter · manipulator · deceiver · tyrant · tormentor · corruptor
Armed military engagement
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
- combatArmed hostile engagement
enmity · hostility · animosity · opposition · strife · clash · showdown · final battle
Cause of destruction
- scourgeCause of mass suffering
- undoingCause of destruction
- ruinComplete destruction or collapse
- curseInvoked harm through words
affliction · doom · destruction · weakness · Achilles heel · kryptonite · fatal flaw · hubris
archrival
Principal ongoing opponent
- sworn enemyVowed lifelong adversary
- counterpartCorresponding person or thing
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
opponent · challenger · contender · competition · matchup · showdown · clash · face-off · duel · contest
mastermind
Scheme's chief planner
- supervillainPowerful fictional evil antagonist
- evil geniusWicked yet brilliant schemer
- malefactorOne who does harm
antagonist · villain · schemer · plotter · manipulator · deceiver · tyrant · tormentor · corruptor · betrayer
battle
Armed military engagement
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- warfareArmed conflict between groups
combat · enmity · hostility · animosity · opposition · strife · clash · showdown · final battle · cat and mouse
bane
Cause of destruction
curse · affliction · doom · destruction · weakness · Achilles heel · kryptonite · fatal flaw · hubris · comeuppance
- enemiesenemy, foe, foes, adversary, rival
- rivalriesenemy, derby, opponent, competitor, adversary
- rivalsrival, opponent, adversary, competitor, foe
- villainsvillain, antagonists, Darth Vader, evil characters, Joker
- comicscomic books, comic book, comic strip, comic art, comic panel
archnemesisbest friend
Most trusted companion
soulmate · bosom buddy · loyal companion · sworn protector · partner