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
-
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
-
So begins a rollicking tale of superstition, a family curse and second chances.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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This means people had to be close enough to see and mark the target, often within range of enemy fire.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
-
After meeting as children in 1950s Naples, their story goes on to cover over 60 years, exploring the mystery of Lila – Elena’s brilliant best friend and, in a way, her worst enemy.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The historically Black church that Lamar leads this year was awarded control of the trademark for the name and logos of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist hate group, that was convicted of vandalizing the church in 2020.—
Mara Williams,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
-
There’s hate that was coming from women that my baby dad dealt [with] in the past.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Cast aside as an abomination, Karloff’s gentle giant only craves an intimate connection with someone else.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Global leaders are being tested by intractable wars in Gaza,Ukraine and Sudan, uncertainty about the economic and social impact of emerging artificial intelligence technology, and anxiety about Trump’s antipathy for the global body.—
Aamer Madhani,
Fortune,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Holly hits the road with the activist and brings along a gun, despite her deep need to be near her home and her abhorrence of weapons.—
Maren Longbella,
Boston Herald,
30 May 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
-
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
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Althea Soft conducted search engine analysis into the phobia between November 2022 and October 2024.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anathema.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathema. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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