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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But, because of the fragile nature of the pumpkin, Bierton understands that it’s not meant to last, which is both a blessing and a curse.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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The pic, from director Marcel Walz and Anathema LLC, follows what happens when a carefree night of partying takes a sinister turn when a group of friends stumble upon an ancient curse and are forced to survive until dawn as a malevolent force begins hunting them.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Mike McLusky may be top dog but power can only be maintained by continuing to instill fear in his enemies.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
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LeBare was awarded two Purple Heart medals for his actions against the enemy.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But a career cannot be sustained on hate alone.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
-
One hurdle for these editors is that far-right hate is more conducive to digital slop, both because algorithms prize outlandish ragebait and because the tribalistic ideas themselves are low IQ rubbish.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
24 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
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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
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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
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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
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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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Althea Soft conducted search engine analysis into the phobia between November 2022 and October 2024.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Their findings, published in the journal BMC Oral Health, suggest that the phobia isn’t necessarily tied directly to the dentist’s chair.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
2 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2025.
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