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
Why is school choice anathema to democrats?
—
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathema
Noun
-
As the moon meets Pluto, ultimate creative freedom can be a curse.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
Baseball has always been a sport that believes in the occult — in juju and curses and superstitions.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
Noun
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In addition to the rotating contestants, Darrell Hammond almost always appeared as Trebek's enemy, a fictional version of the late Sean Connery.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
This could potentially raise billions of dollars for Iran while also putting pressure on Tehran’s ruling party’s enemies worldwide.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
Noun
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The hate and divisiveness can be attributed directly to one person.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
The rapid rise of AI, while technologically dazzling, has prompted widespread anxieties on multiple fronts, including job security, human worth and potential misuse by malevolent actors looking to commit fraud, spread disinformation or foment hate.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
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No respectable woman would permit such an abomination.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
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Civic spending in all but eight states testifies to the fact that the Lost Cause fantasy was not an aberration or an abomination, but the reality across the country.—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The difference is Netflix had, at best, an antipathy towards the theatrical experience.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
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The president’s antipathy for Mueller was on full display throughout the course of the Russia investigation, with Mueller – whose tenure as FBI director ended well before Trump took office – brought out of retirement by Trump’s own Justice Department to serve as special counsel.—
Josh Campbell,
CNN Money,
29 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 18 May. 2026.
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