anathematize

verb

ə-ˈna-thə-mə-ˌtīz How to pronounce anathematize (audio)
Definition of anathematizenext
1
as in to curse
to ask a divine power to send harm or evil upon heretics anathematized by the church leaders

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to denounce
to declare to be morally wrong or evil fundamentalist preachers who anathematize any departure from a literal interpretation of the Bible

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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 anathematize In a democracy, the question of what to do about climate change and for that matter the decision to anathematize entire sectors of the economy ought to be matters for voters not moneymen. — Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 9 Dec. 2020 Still, some people now reflexively anathematize this brilliant novel because its self-justifying, unreliable narrator is a pedophile. — Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2020 And if anyone shall be led by his cupidity or arrogance to break this truce, by the authority of God and with the sanction of this Council he shall be anathematized. — James Carroll, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2017 In some ways, the grotesqueries of his persona, rather than anathematizing him to voters, only enhanced his appeal among those wishing for something different. — Jamelle Bouie, Slate Magazine, 24 Jan. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathematize
  1. curse
  2. denounce
  3. condemn
  4. criticize
  5. blame
Verb
  • Behold the plight of the Ryan Murphy character, cursed to behave nonsensically and flit wildly from plotline to plotline based on the writer’s whims.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But Leah caught them in the driveway, getting into a car with Michael’s mother, who cursed at Leah.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of curse
Verb
  • Human rights groups and advocates have denounced mass and arbitrary arrests, torture and disappearances in the Central American nation's prison system.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Human rights groups and advocates have denounced mass and arbitrary arrests, torture and disappearances in the Central American nation’s prison system.
    — Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of denounce
Verb
  • In April, the Actors Committee of the China Federation of Radio and Television Associations released a statement condemning such infringements and asserted that AI platforms needed to comply with the laws and strengthen their compliance rules.
    — Ling Wei, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Similar reactions have played out online around the trend, with some users sharing retro portraits while others condemn the use of AI or criticize people who take issue with it.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of condemn
Verb
  • One route might be a deal with the left-wing populist BSW party, which on Monday criticized the firewall and which shares some of the AfD’s criticism of Germany’s policies on immigration and Ukraine.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The team was criticized in Iran and branded as traitors in the media there for remaining silent when the Iranian national anthem was played ahead of their opening loss against South Korea on March 2.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • However, everyone knows that if this season fails, nobody will blame Burrow.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The explosion was ultimately blamed on an O-ring that failed in one the shuttle’s solid rocket boosters, allowing a flame to pierce the external fuel tank.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of blame

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Cite this Entry

“Anathematize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathematize. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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