1
as in curse
a prayer that harm will come to someone
uttered an anathema before driving the would-be robber from the his shop
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enemy
something or someone that is hated
the use of animals in the testing of cosmetics is anathema to animal-rights activists
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Recent Examples of anathema
The precocious Sun says he was captivated by the American tycoon’s lessons in cutthroat competition, showmanship and, of course, ego—anathema in a society steeped in the principles of Confucianism and Chinese socialism.
—
Chris Dobstaff, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Ultimately, Kosminsky had to solve the problem by shooting most of the show indoors to save on the costs that would accrue from trying to control the lighting of any outdoor environment, but having to sacrifice quality for budgetary reasons was anathema to his nature as a craftsperson.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 24 Mar. 2025
Moreover, his worldview, which is anathema to international law and multilateral organizations such as the United Nations, happens to be well-suited to nuclear realities.
—Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2025
The very thought of reducing government spending is anathema to progressives.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Chris Dobstaff, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Ultimately, Kosminsky had to solve the problem by shooting most of the show indoors to save on the costs that would accrue from trying to control the lighting of any outdoor environment, but having to sacrifice quality for budgetary reasons was anathema to his nature as a craftsperson.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 24 Mar. 2025
Moreover, his worldview, which is anathema to international law and multilateral organizations such as the United Nations, happens to be well-suited to nuclear realities.
—Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2025
The very thought of reducing government spending is anathema to progressives.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathema
Noun
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After turning undead and hiding her bite wound, Mary easily gets permission to re-enter the building, and quickly seduces Stack, before murdering him and infecting him with the vampire curse.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
And a deadly curse that turns their reality into a waking nightmare.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And what assurance shall there be that the Executive will not train its broad discretionary powers upon its political enemies?—
TIME Staff,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
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Some were emblazoned with images of Maximilian I of Bavaria and Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III. Further, archaeologists discovered fragments of lead bullets and deposits of metal wheels — which were likely safeguarded to prevent them from falling into enemy hands after the army left camp.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Durant suggested his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder to sign with the Golden State Warriors in 2016 started the hate campaign against him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 Apr. 2025
-
When anti-Asian hate was on the rise during the COVID pandemic, signs popped up around the city reading #StopAsianHate.—
Sara Colb,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
And that would be an abomination – an abuse of power, and punishment against the weakest, most fragile and youngest in our country.—
Ailsa Chang,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2025
-
In keeping with their distaste for regulations, Republicans and the broader conservative legal movement have long treated independent agencies as an abomination—and last month Trump sought to rein them in with an executive order that purported to bring them further under his direct control.—
Cristian Farias,
The New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Netanyahu, in short, is not as popular as his antipathies.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Notably the administration has been silent on its intentions towards China, which strikes me as odd given that many members of the administration are united in their antipathy towards America’s geostrategic rivalry (Marco Rubio for example published ‘The World China Made’).—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The reactions from right-of-center publications divide into roughly four camps, aligning on a spectrum ranging from vocal approval to outright abhorrence.—
Zack Beauchamp,
Vox,
7 Dec. 2018
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Tolin doesn’t candy coat the animosity, helping children to understand how artists and Others continue to be misunderstood and how that lack of appreciation fuels abhorrence.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, is an intense fear of social situations.—
Michelle Pugle,
Verywell Health,
22 Jan. 2025
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According to research, the fear of flying is one of the most prevalent phobias in the world.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Between the lines: Many undecideds are painfully trying to balance their sense of obligation with their detestation for Trump, as USA Today first detailed on Thursday.—
Erin Doherty,
Axios,
14 Dec. 2024
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One of the most memorable chapters epitomizes her detestation for the ultra-wealthy and pompous intellectuals who rushed to rationalize her work.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
20 Jan. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Anathema.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathema. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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