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
The Shah’s effort to enfranchise women was also anathema to the most fundamentalist of mullahs.
—
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 13 July 2025
But the cult of the individual is anathema to most modern coaches: even if the players are supremely talented soloists, including PSG wingers Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, they are expected to work relentlessly for the team.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Generally, there’s an extra-ness to it that often proves critical anathema.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 1 July 2025
In Israel, Netanyahu has become anathema to moderate parties.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 13 July 2025
But the cult of the individual is anathema to most modern coaches: even if the players are supremely talented soloists, including PSG wingers Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, they are expected to work relentlessly for the team.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Generally, there’s an extra-ness to it that often proves critical anathema.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 1 July 2025
In Israel, Netanyahu has become anathema to moderate parties.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathema
Noun
-
Rumors of a Satanic curse on the event skittered around the Haight, so early on the morning of the 14th, Ginsberg, Snyder, and Alan Watts conducted a pradakshina, a Buddhist purification rite.—
Dennis McNally,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
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As those points attest, emotional wording can be a blessing and a curse.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Citizens are trained to report anyone who might be an enemy of the regime, including family members.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Our theme this year was the enemy within for the writers’ room.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But even if haters are gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, Swift definitely has two football lovers who are pumped up to see her on New Heights: Travis and Jason.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
13 Aug. 2025
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Those people generally seem to feel the need to continue their hate year over year, no matter the improvements, because hate sells more than love or even contentment.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This wasteful Everglades abomination surely is one of our worst.—
Elise Bennett,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Aug. 2025
-
As the world rightly remains focused on the bloody battlefields of Ukraine and the humanitarian abomination that is Gaza, South Korea’s new president is trying to shake up the status quo on the Korean Peninsula, one of the most militarized regions on the planet.—
Daniel DePetris,
Twin Cities,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
Heritage and its founder Edwin Feulner are the antipathy of conservativism.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
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But vaccine mandates during the pandemic sowed fierce antipathy towards the technology, leading to widespread public opposition.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
The reactions from right-of-center publications divide into roughly four camps, aligning on a spectrum ranging from vocal approval to outright abhorrence.—
Zack Beauchamp,
Vox,
7 Dec. 2018
Noun
-
Despite dealing with the snake in next to no time, Zachary understood the impact his doorbell camera footage would have on anyone with a phobia of snakes.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025
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In the comments section, many Reddit users expressed that the dad was in the wrong because his girlfriend wasn’t just anyone, and she should've been told about his daughter's water phobia.—
Stephanie Guerilus,
People.com,
24 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
Cite this Entry
“Anathema.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathema. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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