noun

anathema

uh-NA-thuh-muh

noun

Something or someone intensely disliked or considered completely unacceptable.

"Cutting corners on safety was anathema to the engineer."

"Compromise was anathema to the two stubborn negotiators."

A formal curse or condemnation, especially one pronounced by a church.

"The medieval church pronounced anathema on the rebellious bishop."

How to Use Anathema

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething so disliked or against someone’s values that it feels utterly unacceptable.

Common pairings

anathema to pronounce anathema

anathemas plural, anathemata plural

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Cutting corners on safety was _____ to the engineer.

From Greek anathema, "something set apart" or "cursed," from anatithemi, "to dedicate" — later took on the sense of a solemn curse.

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