bêtes noires

noun

plural of bête noire
1
as in dreads
something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason doing my own tax return is the bête noire that haunts me every April

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in enemies
something or someone that is hated in that organization's view, society's number one bête noire should be the drunk driver of a motor vehicle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bêtes noires
  1. dreads
  2. enemies
  3. spirits
  4. hates
  5. abominations
  6. nuisances
Noun
  • Royals, who has typically sported some of the team’s most stylish hair, cut his dreads last week.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026
  • He's described by officials as a Black male in his late teens with a medium-large build and thick dreads.
    — Nick Lentz, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Definition of dreads
Noun
  • But the world might not want another one, and both human foes and spiritual enemies are hunting her.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
  • For 20 years, Russian propaganda has portrayed Washington and all of Europe as the country’s enemies.
    — Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of enemies
Noun
  • An emphasis on local artisans can be seen in everything from the restaurant’s clay tableware to the spirits used in The Bar’s impressive craft cocktail list.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • While looks at the show leaned into the designer’s ethereal, romantic spirits, this was also an exercise in literary self-portraiture.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of spirits
Noun
  • On the April 14 episode of the Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club podcast, the bestselling author, whose debut adult romantasy novel Starside hit shelves on March 31, spoke with journalist Danielle Robay about all things writing — including her romance genre loves and hates.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of hates
Noun
  • It a thematic fit, and after nearly 200 episodes, there’s no doubting this team’s ability to deliver fresh, new abominations.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026
  • As the representative for the armed wing of a human empire, you're tasked with subduing these Lovecraftian abominations and securing a foothold for humanity on alien worlds.
    — Alan Bradley, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Definition of abominations
Noun
  • Take some time to seal gaps in window and door frames with weatherproof caulk to prevent fall stink bug problems, along with roaches, boxelder bugs, cluster flies, and other nuisances.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Those feedings typically run afoul of associations’ governing documents and their rules and regulations due to the potential nuisances, unsanitary conditions, property damage, and liabilities that feral cats and other animals can create.
    — Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of nuisances
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.

Browse Nearby Words

bête noire
bêtes noires
bethel
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Cite this Entry

“Bêtes noires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/b%C3%AAtes%20noires. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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