1
as in to curse
to ask a divine power to send harm or evil upon
heretics anathematized by the church leaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to denounce
to declare to be morally wrong or evil
fundamentalist preachers who anathematize any departure from a literal interpretation of the Bible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of anathematize
In a democracy, the question of what to do about climate change and for that matter the decision to anathematize entire sectors of the economy ought to be matters for voters not moneymen.
—
Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 9 Dec. 2020
Still, some people now reflexively anathematize this brilliant novel because its self-justifying, unreliable narrator is a pedophile.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2020
The most serious native challenge to liberalism, made by the slaveholding oligarchy of the Old South, was crushed on the battlefield, and, despite the efforts of an ever-dwindling number of apologists, morally anathematized.
—Park MacDougald, Daily Intelligencer, 27 Feb. 2018
In some ways, the grotesqueries of his persona, rather than anathematizing him to voters, only enhanced his appeal among those wishing for something different.
—Jamelle Bouie, Slate Magazine, 24 Jan. 2017
BuzzFeed was so anathematized that by presser’s end, fellow journalists were picking up their lunch trays and moving to the other side of the cafeteria.
—Will Oremus, Slate Magazine, 12 Jan. 2017
But 33 members of the law faculty published a letter anathematizing her.
—Mona Charen, National Review, 8 Sep. 2017
And if anyone shall be led by his cupidity or arrogance to break this truce, by the authority of God and with the sanction of this Council he shall be anathematized.
—James Carroll, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2017
Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 9 Dec. 2020
Still, some people now reflexively anathematize this brilliant novel because its self-justifying, unreliable narrator is a pedophile.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2020
The most serious native challenge to liberalism, made by the slaveholding oligarchy of the Old South, was crushed on the battlefield, and, despite the efforts of an ever-dwindling number of apologists, morally anathematized.
—Park MacDougald, Daily Intelligencer, 27 Feb. 2018
In some ways, the grotesqueries of his persona, rather than anathematizing him to voters, only enhanced his appeal among those wishing for something different.
—Jamelle Bouie, Slate Magazine, 24 Jan. 2017
BuzzFeed was so anathematized that by presser’s end, fellow journalists were picking up their lunch trays and moving to the other side of the cafeteria.
—Will Oremus, Slate Magazine, 12 Jan. 2017
But 33 members of the law faculty published a letter anathematizing her.
—Mona Charen, National Review, 8 Sep. 2017
And if anyone shall be led by his cupidity or arrogance to break this truce, by the authority of God and with the sanction of this Council he shall be anathematized.
—James Carroll, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathematize
Verb
-
Several videos circulating on social media purport to show armed militants — allegedly affiliated with HTS or the security forces of the new government— beating, cursing and humiliating Alawite men while arresting them, or otherwise making threats toward Alawites.—
Barak Ravid,
Axios,
30 Dec. 2024
-
So fans won’t need to be cursing the team for too long before finding out how this showdown between Gi-hun and In-ho comes to an end.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Getty Images News | Getty Images Climate scientists condemned Trump’s order to remove the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, noting the pledge comes just weeks after U.S. and global scientific agencies confirmed the planet experienced its hottest year on record in 2024.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Biden condemned attempts by Trump and his allies to rewrite the history of Jan. 6 and intimidate those who participated in the investigation.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
PinkNews journalist Amelia Hansford criticizes the movie for portraying the titular character’s gender transition as a moral decision to absolve her of her past sins.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
-
The Sun article in question reported that Sheeran had attended a party on New Year's Eve hosted by the Harry Potter author, who has been publicly criticized for making anti-trans comments.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Finally, blaming the pharmaceutical industry for high drug costs has historically been PBMs’ go-to defense.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
-
While most economists agree that Biden was not to blame for inflation, the yearslong bout of sharp-rising prices hit Americans hard and, ultimately, cast a thick cloud over Biden’s presidency that carried through to the November election.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near anathematize
Cite this Entry
“Anathematize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathematize. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share