anathematize

verb

ə-ˈna-thə-mə-ˌtīz How to pronounce anathematize (audio)
Definition of anathematizenext
1
as in to curse
to ask a divine power to send harm or evil upon heretics anathematized by the church leaders

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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

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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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anathematize
  1. curse
  2. denounce
  3. condemn
  4. criticize
  5. blame
Verb
  • Locals warn him that the island has been cursed for centuries.
    — Nicholas DeRenzo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Kangas said their parents must keep them away from the doctor to set an example, so the young ones won’t be cursed later in life by turning to medicine.
    — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of curse
Verb
  • Democratic divisions haven’t disappeared El-Sayed, who would be the country’s first Muslim senator, has denounced antisemitism while fiercely criticizing Israel for its military operations in Gaza.
    — Joey Cappelletti, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • At least 10 high-profile Democrats have denounced the comments, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of denounce
Verb
  • Democrats pushed for El-Sayed to more directly condemn Piker and his comments, though El-Sayed framed the whole episode as a nonissue in the election.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Turkey and Saudi Arabia are particularly pleased that the SDF will be disbanded due to its historic relationship to the Kurdistan Workers Party, a group widely condemned as a terrorist organization.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of condemn
Verb
  • The move came days after Stephens publicly criticized EMCC and Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference leadership over changes to the league’s football schedule and playoff format.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the decision to increase bond purchases earlier last month, after investor Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the move.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Heaping credit onto Espada is dangerous, but so is blaming him for every game that goes awry.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • That war ended in a humiliating defeat by an enemy regarded as much weaker, and many tsarist officials blamed the outcome on Japanese spies and saboteurs.
    — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of blame

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Cite this Entry

“Anathematize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anathematize. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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