anathema
1 synonym for anathema, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Something or someone intensely disliked or considered completely unacceptable.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
bete noire
How to use anathema
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
anathema to
pronounce anathema
Etymology
From Greek anathema, "something set apart" or "cursed," from anatithemi, "to dedicate" — later took on the sense of a solemn curse.
Full origin of anathema →Frequently asked questions
What does “anathema” mean?
The word “anathema” means something or someone intensely disliked or considered completely unacceptable. In plain terms, something so disliked or against someone’s values that it feels utterly unacceptable.
How do you pronounce “anathema”?
“Anathema” is pronounced uh-NA-thuh-muh (/əˈnæθəmə/ in IPA).
How do you use “anathema” in a sentence?
Here is “anathema” used in a sentence: “Cutting corners on safety was anathema to the engineer.”
What part of speech is “anathema”?
“Anathema” is a noun.
Where does the word “anathema” come from?
The word “anathema” comes from Greek. From Greek anathema, "something set apart" or "cursed," from anatithemi, "to dedicate" — later took on the sense of a solemn curse.
How many meanings does “anathema” have?
“Anathema” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something or someone intensely disliked or considered completely unacceptable.
