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
After all, the concept is considered antithetical or anathema to the Iranian Revolution, which deposed the monarchy led by the shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in 1979.
—
Eric Lob, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Eric Lob, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathema
Noun
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In the first story, a couple worry about how a possible family curse that began when an ancestor made a bargain to escape enslavement might affect their happy life.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
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There are still deliveries of hate mail from conservative neighbors who disapprove of their lifestyle, and occasional drive-bys punctuated with curses yelled from car windows, but they’ve largely been accepted by the community.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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However, unlike the first movie, the upcoming film will revolve around arch enemies Kent and Luthor working together to defeat an even more dangerous villain, Brainiac, who will be played by newcomer Lars Eidinger.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
19 Apr. 2026
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Throughout Orbán’s re-election campaign, the media controlled by his governing Fidesz party depicted Magyar as a reckless enemy of peace, bent on dragging Hungary into the war in neighboring Ukraine.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Identities can collide and collapse into each other and people can forge these new forms of culture and connection, despite the many waves of hate and division that have swept the country through the eras.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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The San Francisco District Attorney said the crime was motivated by hate of AI technology.—
Kate Rooney,Drew Troast,
CNBC,
15 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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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 20 Apr. 2026.
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