anathema

noun

ə-ˈna-thə-mə How to pronounce anathema (audio)
Definition of anathemanext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anathema This concentration of capital is anathema to a thriving democracy. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 That is anathema to many of the visiting fans – and, to be very clear, the overwhelming majority of the American soccer fans who are in attendance as well. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 23 June 2026 Still, by the 1830s, Elizabeth Freeman’s challenge to slavery as an anathema to liberty was a potent idea. — New York Times, 22 June 2026 Playing to the White House was clearly anathema for Warsh. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for anathema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathema
  1. curse
  2. enemy
  3. hate
  4. abomination
  5. antipathy
  6. abhorrence
  7. detestation
  8. phobia
Noun
  • Along with the town’s hard-drinking fisherman Wyck (Root), and the town hall staff of Patricia (O’Flynn), Rosemary (Dickey) and Dale (Hiller), Loftis tries to ignore a centuries-old island curse while attracting tourists to the island.
    — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In other cases Hoodoo was used to counter the threat of curses, as in the practice of suspending bottles from a tree to trap any malevolent spirits or witches traveling in spirit form.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • The Dodgers are baseball's enemy because their ownership group has shown a willingness to win, and their front office is smart enough to do so.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Likewise, battlefield commanders often need urgent response plans to enemy attacks, something AI can help with.
    — Emelia S. Probasco, Foreign Affairs, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • Getting together becomes a hate festival toward this child’s ex-spouse.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The meeting was already scheduled to discuss pertinent issues facing the league — among them, the online hate and vitriol directed toward players and other WNBA personnel.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of hate
Noun
  • It a thematic fit, and after nearly 200 episodes, there’s no doubting this team’s ability to deliver fresh, new abominations.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026
  • And that was before the abomination — three-parts Netflix advertising event and one-part baseball game — even happened.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026
Definition of abomination
Noun
  • The other is that Republicans’ antipathy towards vote-by-mail is waning.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
  • Alexander Kazakov | Afp | Getty Images That Russia and China are seen as ideologically aligned on many geopolitical issues, with each sharing a traditional antipathy and distrust towards the West, and Washington.
    — Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Definition of antipathy
Noun
  • But your abhorrence of the outcomes of particular elections doesn’t justify your saying, Well, the hell with that.
    — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of abhorrence
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of detestation
Noun
  • Cage plays Roy, a gifted con artist with obsessive-compulsive disorder whose tics, phobias and elaborate rituals have turned his immaculate home into a fortress against the world.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Turns out that the star had quite the number of phobias to conquer.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
Definition of phobia

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anarchy
anathema
anathemas
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Cite this Entry

“Anathema.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathema. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on anathema

Nglish: Translation of anathema for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anathema

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