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
  • Iraq, Canada, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Qatar, Saudi Arabia After accidentally cursing President Saddam Hussein on stage, theater actor Salem convinces a military court of his insanity to escape a death sentence.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 6 July 2026
  • The pseudonymous title character, a depressed, drunken, belligerent twenty-six-year-old advice columnist, has no real hardships of his own and is cursed by doubt.
    — Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 1 July 2026
Definition of curse
Verb
  • Washington denounces Cuba’s overseas medical missions as exploitative and presses allies to drop them, but Calabria’s governor says losing the doctors would cripple care and vows to keep them.
    — Paolo Santalucia, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Obama had no patience for Americans who denounced their country for being irredeemably flawed.
    — Mark Brilliant, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of denounce
Verb
  • Oman’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the latest attacks against Bahrain and Kuwait in an X post, warning that the escalation of military tensions in the region poses a threat to not only its security, but overall maritime safety.
    — Jamie Gray, NBC news, 9 July 2026
  • Another condemned the preference shown for evangelical Christian translations of the Bible over a diversity of translations, inclusive of many denominations.
    — Rachel Royster. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026
Definition of condemn
Verb
  • For all her talk of women as allies, Siebel Newsom portrays conservative women who criticize other women as dupes manipulated by MAGA leaders.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Last month, his ally Uthmeier declined to criticize the state party’s decision to limit the debate.
    — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Autopsies and other investigations will be needed before the deaths are officially blamed on the heat, Washington said.
    — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Most of the others have been blamed on natural causes or suicide.
    — Ryan J. Foley, Twin Cities, 6 July 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 11 Jul. 2026.

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