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
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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
The most serious native challenge to liberalism, made by the slaveholding oligarchy of the Old South, was crushed on the battlefield, and, despite the efforts of an ever-dwindling number of apologists, morally anathematized.
—Park MacDougald, Daily Intelligencer, 27 Feb. 2018
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
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
The most serious native challenge to liberalism, made by the slaveholding oligarchy of the Old South, was crushed on the battlefield, and, despite the efforts of an ever-dwindling number of apologists, morally anathematized.
—Park MacDougald, Daily Intelligencer, 27 Feb. 2018
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
Verb
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In his decade-long career, he’s often been heckled and cursed at by spectators during domestic matches.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
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It also was alleged that the judge didn't properly supervise clerks and on one occasion yelled and cursed at staff.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Belfast on Saturday to denounce anti-immigrant rioters who set fire to homes and cars earlier in the week after a brutal stabbing blamed on an asylum seeker.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
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Resolutions passed on immigration and political violence Later Wednesday, SBC messengers approved a resolutions denouncing political violence and hateful speech.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
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South Africa's government has condemned a spate of attacks on foreigners sparked by a recent rise in anti-migrant sentiment from some groups.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
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Sometimes the various agencies and actors disagreed; sometimes a powerful entity might even seek to protect someone a rival sought to condemn.—
Laura Secor,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Draper contested the claims and denied all wrongdoing and criticized the Commission on Judicial Performance.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
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The image quickly spread on social media, where some fans criticized the pose as disrespectful while others defended Wembanyama, who is from France.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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An Israeli source told CNN that Netanyahu has also privately blamed Kushner and Witkoff for creating a wedge between the two leaders.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
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Amid mounting public criticism, the White House took down the video and blamed an unnamed aide.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anathematize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathematize. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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