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 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 The notion that nature begins only where humans end is anathema to the Cornish spirit. — Literary Hub, 11 June 2026 The idea of farming out one of your iconic brands to a third-party producer may seem anathema to some, but under the terms of the BBC’s operating agreement, known as its royal charter, the corporation has a duty to put in-house shows out to the market. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 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
  • Despite these flat denials, and no mention of the ‘curse’ before 1990, the mythology only grew as Mayo’s barren years piled up.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • Questions and complaints are frequent and often descend into curse-laden spats.
    — Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of curse
Noun
  • Scotland changed its anthem to ‘Flower Of Scotland’ — a folk song written in the 1960s, and whose lyrics take occasional aim at its neighbour and old enemy to the south — across their sports teams in the 1990s.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • The game is also not easy; there’s a lot of bullet hell here, and many rooms are tight and filled with hazards and enemies.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • This isn’t about Jew-hate, which is wrong, and there is no room in this world for that.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026
  • Then, earlier this month, Clark opened a media availability with a five-minute statement condemning harassment and hate directed at opponents, teammates and coaches.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of hate
Noun
  • And that was before the abomination — three-parts Netflix advertising event and one-part baseball game — even happened.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026
  • Qatar 2022 was an abomination in so many ways, a World Cup staged in a nation roughly the size of Connecticut, with an appalling human rights record, but the football was frequently thrilling.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 13 June 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
  • Turns out that the star had quite the number of phobias to conquer.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
  • Left untreated, anxiety in dogs tends to escalate into phobias, which are far harder to address.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Definition of phobia

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“Anathema.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathema. Accessed 4 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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