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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anathema
At the moment, democracy promotion is anathema in Washington.
—
Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
While moderate by Western standards, such sentiments remain anathema to Thailand’s ruling elite, and judging by the fate of the progressive movement’s previous leadership, Natthaphong knows any intention to reform this paramount institution paints an enormous target on his back.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
The Socialists want to tax the rich and roll back Macron’s tax cuts for businesses, demands that are anathema to the right.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Cheating in any way, at anything, was anathema to him.
—Larry David, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
While moderate by Western standards, such sentiments remain anathema to Thailand’s ruling elite, and judging by the fate of the progressive movement’s previous leadership, Natthaphong knows any intention to reform this paramount institution paints an enormous target on his back.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
The Socialists want to tax the rich and roll back Macron’s tax cuts for businesses, demands that are anathema to the right.
—Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Cheating in any way, at anything, was anathema to him.
—Larry David, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathema
Noun
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With the launch of the Culling Game in the aftermath, 10 colonies from across Japan are transformed into dens of curses as part of a plot orchestrated by the most wicked sorcerer in history, Noritoshi Kamo.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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Her goal helped the club secure its first berth in the NWSL playoffs, snapping a ninth-place curse that had haunted the team since its debut in 2021.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
When integrated into multiple systems, the Tactical Edge Electromagnetic Solutions (TEEMS) can jam enemy systems with speed and precision.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Netanyahu said the country would continue trying to bring home the bodies of Israelis still being held across enemy lines, such as Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy hung in Damascus in 1965.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
My generation deserves better leaders than the ones teaching us that bigotry is bravery and hate is just a joke.—
Eli Thompson,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
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What Marissa does doesn’t come from hate.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The tale of the Navidson family and friends exploring their eldritch abomination of a house features death and survival horror alongside impossible architecture and geometry.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
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Cast aside as an abomination, Karloff’s gentle giant only craves an intimate connection with someone else.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The antipathy toward Scherzer stemmed less from his years of excellence as a Dodgers opponent and more from his brief stint on the team in 2021.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Rather than attracting qualified applicants who want to serve in federal law enforcement, ICE may be appealing to people with antipathy toward immigrants, or who see themselves as helping defend the U.S. from demographic changes.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Mercury News,
11 Oct. 2025
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
-
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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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
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One of the most memorable chapters epitomizes her detestation for the ultra-wealthy and pompous intellectuals who rushed to rationalize her work.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
20 Jan. 2024
Noun
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This one’s closer to immersion therapy for phobias around motherhood, mental health, and emotional maelstroms that refuse to tamed or contained.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
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Here are the most irrational fears travelers have There's a long list of phobias and irrational behaviors that travelers pack for every trip.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anathema.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathema. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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