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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Yates alleges that Ebert had driven up to the house, honked his horn, and cursed at him before driving off.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
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In the days leading up to the wedding, however, Rachel discovers that her bloodline has been cursed.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That was outrageous – not merely to the teachers unions who denounced it as racist and uninformed but to their allies in the mainstream media.—
Will Swaim,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2026
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Also, don’t discount Republican efforts to suppress the vote by denouncing or restricting voting by mail.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The resolutions seek to put Congress on record condemning the conflict and tie the president’s hands from launching further strikes.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Apr. 2026
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In the speech, Carney condemned economic coercion by great powers against smaller countries and received widespread praise and attention for his remarks, upstaging Trump at the gathering.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His fall was celebrated on Sunday by both Democrats and Republicans, some of whom criticized their own administration for such overt support for the Hungarian leader.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Leo's recent public comments on social media criticizing the war, have even led some to speculate whether the president actually threatened him.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many Millennials and Gen Zers expressly blame the Boomers for that, accusing them of hoarding wealth, jobs, and power.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
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Many housing advocates blamed Wall Street firms buying up homes for a post-pandemic surge in housing costs.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anathematize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathematize. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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