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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anathema
The Shah’s effort to enfranchise women was also anathema to the most fundamentalist of mullahs.
—
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 13 July 2025
But the cult of the individual is anathema to most modern coaches: even if the players are supremely talented soloists, including PSG wingers Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, they are expected to work relentlessly for the team.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Generally, there’s an extra-ness to it that often proves critical anathema.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 1 July 2025
In Israel, Netanyahu has become anathema to moderate parties.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 13 July 2025
But the cult of the individual is anathema to most modern coaches: even if the players are supremely talented soloists, including PSG wingers Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, they are expected to work relentlessly for the team.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Generally, there’s an extra-ness to it that often proves critical anathema.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 1 July 2025
In Israel, Netanyahu has become anathema to moderate parties.
—Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for anathema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathema
Noun
-
This is both a blessing and a curse in the list production process.—
Maggie McGrath,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
And after that, the Kennedy curse became this sort of wide-ranging explanation for a lot of things that were happening.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
People.com,
16 July 2025
Noun
-
They are professedly based on hunches that the enemy will attack, occupy or conquer at some future time unless the enemy is obliterated.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
24 July 2025
-
Synthetic data becomes a strategic blind spot by creating sameness, and sameness is the enemy of competitive advantage.—
Jēnna Reese,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
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The video then shows Pepe the Frog, a popular internet meme that was added to a hate symbol database during the 2016 election.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
-
This year, not only will Gauthier hear the hate on Broad Street, but former Duck Trevor Zegras should feel the love inside the Honda Center.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
16 July 2025
Noun
-
As the world rightly remains focused on the bloody battlefields of Ukraine and the humanitarian abomination that is Gaza, South Korea’s new president is trying to shake up the status quo on the Korean Peninsula, one of the most militarized regions on the planet.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2025
-
The vanilla was the best, with a toasty, rounded flavor, raspberry was jammy and fine, and blueberry was a minor abomination, reminiscent of the warm pool of flavor syrup at the bottom of your snowcone.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
19 July 2025
Noun
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But the Anti-Masons’ political ascendancy was short-lived; the party collapsed in the 1830s and was largely absorbed by the Whigs, who shared the Anti-Masons’ economic preferences, as well as their antipathy toward Jackson (himself a prominent Freemason).—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Critics called the case politically motivated, driven by then-President Joe Biden’s antipathy toward the oil industry.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
Holly hits the road with the activist and brings along a gun, despite her deep need to be near her home and her abhorrence of weapons.—
Maren Longbella,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2025
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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
Noun
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But sleepaway camp may not be for everyone, including children with a panic or mood disorder, phobia, or who have experienced a recent tragedy or trauma.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
9 July 2025
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So spending the night in a haunted hotel on Friday the 13th, for example, would be a nightmare for anyone dealing with these phobias.—
Tribune News Reports,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 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
-
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 6 Aug. 2025.
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