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
Each of those individually is probably anathema to some Ferrari fans, never mind all three together.
—
Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026
But this truth is anathema in a culture where billionaires expect to live forever and encounters with disease are wars to be fought and won.
—Hannah Kerman, STAT, 29 Apr. 2026
But the issue isn’t if tanking is an anathema to any moral sports fan.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
As with so many Zionophobes, Jewish self-defense is anathema for Caggiano.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026
But this truth is anathema in a culture where billionaires expect to live forever and encounters with disease are wars to be fought and won.
—Hannah Kerman, STAT, 29 Apr. 2026
But the issue isn’t if tanking is an anathema to any moral sports fan.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
As with so many Zionophobes, Jewish self-defense is anathema for Caggiano.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathema
Noun
-
Chants laced with curses echo through Madison Square Garden.—
Albert Samaha,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
-
Courtside seats at Madison Square Garden for Games 3 and 4 will be the most expensive tickets in NBA history as the Knicks try to end their 53-year championship curse against the greatest physical force ever in basketball.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
However, this distinction did more than pit pious Americans against an atheist enemy.—
David Williamson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
Dassault’s Mirage fighter – and more recently the Rafale – can creep into enemy airspace, dogfight, drop bombs and launch cruise missiles.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Maria hopes people will practice kindness, compassion, and empathy instead of hate.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
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This is a story of inclusion, a common struggle, and a united response against hate.—
Rev. José Rodriguez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Qatar 2022 was an abomination in so many ways, a World Cup staged in a nation roughly the size of Connecticut, with an appalling human rights record, but the football was frequently thrilling.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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Yes, the first season of Big Brother was an abomination.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Alexander Kazakov | Afp | Getty Images That Russia and China are seen as ideologically aligned on many geopolitical issues, with each sharing a traditional antipathy and distrust towards the West, and Washington.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
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Faced with widespread antipathy, those mainstream forces have been hammered by the electorate, with voters increasingly turning to the Greens and Reform, as well as Plaid and the SNP in Wales and Scotland.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
8 May 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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Festivalgoers should expect petition endeavors aimed at mellowing out Idaho’s legal phobia about marijuana.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
16 Apr. 2026
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His father has many food phobias and drug issues.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anathema.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathema. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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