Proper Pronunciation Guide

nemesis

[nɛ mə səs]

Tips:

  • Pronounce the first letter “e” as the short vowel
    /ɛ/—like the vowel in the word “bed”—and stress it.
  • Pronounce both the second letter “e” and the letter “i” as the weak schwa vowel
    /ə/.

Practice Sentence:

 The independent prosecutor, Ken Starr, was Bill Clinton's nemesis.

Definition:

  • (noun) An opponent who constantly tries to harm you and cause you to fail.

Notes:

Ken Starr is the prosecutor who tried to prosecute President Bill Clinton for one reason after another during most of his eight-year presidency and finally caused him to be impeached by the House of Representatives for lying about his involvement with a young intern at the White House, Monica Lewinski.

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