SINCE 1828

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bête noire

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noun \ ˌbet-ˈnwär , ˌbāt- \

Definition of bête noire

plural bêtes noires play \ˌbet-ˈnwär(z), ˌbāt-\

:a person or thing strongly detested or avoided :bugbear

an idiosyncratic driver whose bête noire was the left turn
—Marylin Bender

See bête noire defined for English-language learners

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Examples of bête noire in a Sentence

a politician who is the bête noire of liberal groups
doing my own tax return is the bête noire that haunts me every April

Origin and Etymology of bête noire

French, literally, black beast

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1805

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bête noire Synonyms

Synonyms

bogey, black beast, bugaboo, bugbear, dread, hobgoblin, ogre

Antonyms

love

Related Words

apparition, ghost, phantasm (also fantasm), phantom, poltergeist, shade, specter (or spectre), spirit, spook, wraith; banshee, bogeyman (also bogyman), demon (or daemon), devil, fiend, ghoul, imp, incubus; fright, horrible, horror, monster, monstrosity, terror; bane, curse, enemy, plague, scourge, torment; abomination, anathema

Near Antonyms

beloved, darling, dear, honey, sweetheart; delight, enjoyment, felicity, joy, pleasure; favorite, like, preference; treasure

BÊTE NOIRE Defined for English Language Learners

bête noire

play

noun

Definition of bête noire for English Language Learners

: a person or thing that someone dislikes very much

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Examples: bête noire in a Sentence