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
  • Another example involves an Old Testament story, in which Israelites traveled toward the Promised Land through Moabite territory, and the king of Moab called on Balaam, a diviner, to curse them, D'Souza said.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Video that the teen lobster diver's family shared with ABC Miami affiliate WSVN allegedly shows Simpson swimming away from the third lung and back to the Contender vessel as people on Del Sol's boat began yelling and cursing at him.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of curse
Verb
  • Wasserman Schultz and Moskowitz denounced the statement at the time.
    — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In his address, Carrillo denounced the conditions at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center located in his district.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of denounce
Verb
  • Tlaib has a history of comments about Israel that have been widely condemned by many of her colleagues, including Jewish Democrats from South Florida, over the years.
    — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday condemned the attack by Houthi rebels on the ship in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, saying three Pakistanis had been killed in the attack and another wounded.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of condemn
Verb
  • Chief Critic Democratic Party consultant and former President Barack Obama’s ex-campaign adviser David Axelrod criticized the White House’s decision to use the old plane as a decoy with journalists on board.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The two lawmakers have intensely criticized Fauci over the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic for years, with Paul recently releasing diary entries penned by Fauci during the height of the pandemic.
    — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Craig has blamed Flanagan for a lack of oversight and accountability, allegations that Flanagan rejects.
    — Diana Paulsen, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Leaders of the nonprofit hospital in Alabama’s capital blamed its collapse on financial pressures, including mounting debt, staffing shortages and Alabama’s refusal to expand Medicaid that would cover more of the state’s uninsured.
    — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of blame

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anathemas
anathematize
anathematized
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Cite this Entry

“Anathematize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathematize. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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