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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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
This tenant was fully aware that, for many people in New York, even walking through the door to a Trump building is anathema.
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Paula Aceves, Curbed, 31 Oct. 2024
For many Israelis still traumatized by the Oct. 7 massacre, the concept is anathema as well.
—Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Oct. 2024
This kind of urgent, ruthless efficiency is anathema to the public sector.
—Greg Orme, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
David Greene, Civil Liberties Director, EFF Book bans violate fundamental First Amendment values and are anathema to the founding principles of U.S. democracy.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anathema 
Paula Aceves, Curbed, 31 Oct. 2024
For many Israelis still traumatized by the Oct. 7 massacre, the concept is anathema as well.
—Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Oct. 2024
This kind of urgent, ruthless efficiency is anathema to the public sector.
—Greg Orme, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
David Greene, Civil Liberties Director, EFF Book bans violate fundamental First Amendment values and are anathema to the founding principles of U.S. democracy.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anathema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathema
Noun
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There has never been a busier time or more information available than right now, which is both a blessing and a curse.Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2025
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The delivery app market — dominated by DoorDash, UberEats and Grubhub — seems to be a blessing and a curse for restaurant operators.Cindy Carcamo, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The system is often the enemy in Eastwood’s movies.A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
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Historically the enemies of Christian America were secular humanists, feminists and then more recently Democrats and the woke.John Blake, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And quoted my column, earning me weeks of vile hate messages from across the nation.Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025
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At that time Clark spoke out against all forms of hate, including antisemitism.Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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New York then strung together its third consecutive poor second half: The Knicks lost the final two quarters, 63-41, in Oklahoma City and 76-54 in Chicago, before Monday night’s 50-43 second-half abomination at home.Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
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His regime was an abomination that deserved to fall, regardless of what comes next.Paul du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Its emphasis on civilizational identity and antipathy to liberal internationalism creates opportunities for entanglements with illiberal states, such as China and Russia, that share the goal of dethroning Western liberalism and the U.S.-led international order. Loading...Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Oct. 2024
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Despite the industry’s antipathy for Joe Biden, U.S. oil output has climbed steadily during his presidency to a record 13 million bpd of oil and 125 bcfd of natural gas today.Christopher Helman, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
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However, the Grinch is known for his abhorrence of Christmas and everything the season represents.Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2024
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The ambivalence of André and his parents was culturally unexceptional, but Simone’s abhorrence wasn’t.Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Happy memories were pleasant, but others led to phobias (of bird droppings, for instance).Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024
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Luckily, there’s a cure for those suffering from forest fire phobia.Josh Schlossberg, The Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2024
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
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Cite this Entry
“Anathema.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathema. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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