1
as in curse
a prayer that harm will come to someone
uttered an anathema before driving the would-be robber from the his shop
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enemy
something or someone that is hated
the use of animals in the testing of cosmetics is anathema to animal-rights activists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anathema
There, again, her ambition and dreams were stifled by her present-day reality, trapped in a body that was anathema to her.
—
Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 18 Feb. 2026
For months, perhaps years, the idea of trading the franchise icon was anathema in Wisconsin.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
This index is the first to go in a tough tape created by a pernicious bond market; higher rates are a small-cap anathema.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
The idea of altering Ferrari’s iconography has always been anathema–until now.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 18 Feb. 2026
For months, perhaps years, the idea of trading the franchise icon was anathema in Wisconsin.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
This index is the first to go in a tough tape created by a pernicious bond market; higher rates are a small-cap anathema.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
The idea of altering Ferrari’s iconography has always been anathema–until now.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathema
Noun
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The story introduces a family curse requiring Rachel to marry her soulmate by sundown on her wedding day or face death.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The season ends with Rachel driving away, now as this immortal witness to the ongoing curse.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In natural systems, pests seldom reach outbreak levels because predators, parasitoids, and disease organisms (collectively called natural enemies) keep populations in check.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2026
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Targeting property Iran’s judiciary has begun seizing the property of public figures critical of the country’s rulers, under an anti-espionage law approved during last year’s 12-day war with Israel that punishes media and cultural activities deemed to support Iran’s enemies.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Parents must have difficult conversations about hate with their children.—
Fabienne Perlov,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Rabbi Hillel Cohn has earned honors for his work fighting hate and building inclusion.—
Jesse Jackson Jr,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While people sometimes express this view in jest, others believe the fake environment borders on a cultural abomination.—
Adam Kadlac,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
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Yes, the opening animation was an abomination, but what followed was almost — almost — enough to make up for it.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Saeedi / Getty Images In Britain, Starmer must also factor in his own voters’ dislike of the American-Israeli assault on Iran (59% against and 25% for, according to YouGov) and their long-standing antipathy toward Trump himself, whose net favorability in the United Kingdom is currently at minus 65.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
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But the government’s antipathy toward EVs isn’t done yet.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These findings echo a broader pattern political scientists call affective polarization: the replacement of disagreement with abhorrence.—
Manvir Singh,
New Yorker,
27 Oct. 2025
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When human decency and basic civility fall victim to partisanship and ideology, and abhorrence of violence becomes tempered by political aims, monstrosities and tyrannies become possible.—
Michael Bloomberg,
Twin Cities,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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How Nelson is reformulated from one who feels desire to one who feels detestation (as well as shame for having desired) is the remarkable achievement of both the story and the storyteller and the system that requires it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Feb. 2026
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Between the lines: Many undecideds are painfully trying to balance their sense of obligation with their detestation for Trump, as USA Today first detailed on Thursday.—
Erin Doherty,
Axios,
14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This, Wright imagined, was one way Proxi might display its analysis of players’ minds, an aerial map of loves, phobias, triumphs, losses, pets, and near misses plus all the associations connecting them.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
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In Atlanta, some people living with SAD, as well as social phobia or even simple shyness, are facing their fears in a novel way.—
Hunter Boyce,
AJC.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anathema.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathema. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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