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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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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But the locals on the island are convinced the town is cursed, and don’t necessarily approve of bringing tourists into the mix.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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Jenny Calendar has been revealed to be of gypsy descent, the same clan that cursed Angel with a soul, and she was sent to Sunnydale to monitor Angel—a secret that served as another wedge in her relationship with Giles, although the pair were moving toward reconciliation.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Earlier this week, Next Generation Action Network, a civil rights organization that has been advocating in favor of Anthony, denounced the racial makeup of the jurors.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
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The Iranian government denounced Persepolis and successfully lobbied for the film’s removal from the Bangkok International Film Festival.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The Art Directors Guild released a statement on social media on Tuesday condemning Martin Scorsese’s recent partnership with AI startup Black Forest Labs.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
10 June 2026
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Israel and the United States condemned the move, accusing the court of equating Israeli leaders with Hamas terrorists.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Raman wasn’t endorsed by any of her colleagues on the City Council, and she has been criticized by some community leaders in her district for not paying close enough attention to their concerns.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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The Grand Prix has been criticized as a processional where Saturday hot laps decide the result.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Iran blamed the United States for the escalation.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
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The leftist indoctrination in K-12 schools, as well as universities, is largely to blame for the youth vote’s enthusiasm for socialism and communism.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anathematize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathematize. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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