Anathema — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ə-ˈna-thə-mə/ anath·e·ma

Meaning & Definition of Anathema

Anathema (noun)

  1. someone or something intensely disliked or loathed —usually used in the phrase be anathema (to)
  2. one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority
  3. a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunication

Anathema (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a prayer that harm will come to someone

    "uttered an anathema before driving the would-be robber from the his shop"

    similar: ban, curse, execration, imprecation, malediction, malison, winze (Scottish)
    related: censure, condemnation, damnation, denunciation, excommunication, hex, hoodoo, jinx, mojo, spell, voodoo, whammy, pox
    opposite: benediction, benison, blessing
    near: citation, commendation, endorsement

  2. something or someone that is hated

    "the use of animals in the testing of cosmetics is anathema to animal-rights activists"

    similar: abhorrence, abomination, antipathy, aversion, bête noire, detestation, execration, hate
    related: dread, hang-up, horror, phobia, bogey, bugaboo, bugbear, adversary, enemy, annoyance, grievance, hassle, nuisance, peeve
    opposite: love
    near: beloved, darling, dear, honey, sweetheart, delight, enjoyment, felicity, joy, pleasure, favorite, like, preference, treasure

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Anathema

The most common words with a similar meaning to Anathema:

Scottish: winze
ban, curse, execration, imprecation, malediction, malison, abhorrence, abomination, antipathy, aversion, bête noire, detestation, hate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Anathema

Words with the opposite meaning of Anathema:

benediction, benison, blessing, love

Related Words for Anathema

censure, condemnation, damnation, denunciation, excommunication, hex, hoodoo, jinx, mojo, spell, voodoo, whammy, pox, dread, hang-up, horror, phobia, bogey, bugaboo, bugbear, adversary, enemy, annoyance, grievance, hassle, nuisance, peeve

Near Antonyms of Anathema

citation, commendation, endorsement, beloved, darling, dear, honey, sweetheart, delight, enjoyment, felicity, joy, pleasure, favorite, like, preference, treasure

Origin & Etymology of Anathema

Late Latin anathemat-, anathema, from Greek, thing devoted to evil, curse, from anatithenai to set up, dedicate, from ana- + tithenai to place, set do:1

First known use: 1582

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Anathema

Frequently Asked Questions about Anathema

What does "Anathema" mean?

"Anathema" means someone or something intensely disliked or loathed —usually used in the phrase be anathema (to). As a noun, it is defined as: someone or something intensely disliked or loathed —usually used in the phrase be anathema (to). It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Anathema"?

Other words for "Anathema" include ban, curse, execration, imprecation, malediction, malison, winze and abhorrence. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Anathema" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Anathema"?

There are 41 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Anathema". Common alternatives include ban, curse, execration, imprecation, malediction, malison, winze, abhorrence, abomination and antipathy.

What is the opposite of "Anathema"?

Antonyms of "Anathema" include benediction, benison, blessing and love. Near antonyms include citation, commendation, endorsement and beloved.

How do you use "Anathema" in a sentence?

Examples of "Anathema" in a sentence: "uttered an anathema before driving the would-be robber from the his shop"; "the use of animals in the testing of cosmetics is anathema to animal-rights activists".

Is "Anathema" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Anathema" is a noun.

Is "Anathema" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Anathema" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Anathema"?

"Anathema" is pronounced /ə-ˈna-thə-mə/ and divided into syllables as anath·e·ma.