Anathema Meaning in English

word

US

əˈnæθəmə

uh-NATH-uh-muh

UK

ɐnˈæθəmɐ

uh-NATH-uh-muh

Definition

Something or someone that is strongly disliked or hated, or something that is formally cursed or condemned.

Usage & Nuances

'Anathema' is formal and rare in conversation; used to strongly express dislike or rejection, often with religious or moral tone. Commonly appears as 'X is anathema to Y.' Don't confuse with simple 'hate'—it's much stronger and sometimes means formal curse.

• Spanish: anatema - maldición
• Portuguese (BR): anátema - maldição
• Portuguese (PT): anátema - maldição
• Chinese (Simplified): 可憎的事物 - 被诅咒的人或物
• Chinese (Traditional): 可憎的事物 - 被詛咒的人或物
• Hindi: शाप - अभिशापित वस्तु
• Arabic: شيء مكروه - لعن
• Bengali: নিন্দিত - ঘৃণিত - অভিশপ্ত
• Russian: анафема - проклятие - что-то вызывающее отвращение
• Japanese: 忌み嫌われるもの - 呪われたもの
• Vietnamese: điều bị ghét cay ghét đắng - điều bị nguyền rủa
• Korean: 절대적으로 혐오되는 것 - 저주
• Turkish: nefret edilen şey - lânet
• Urdu: مکروہ - لعنت
• Indonesian: kutukan - hal yang sangat dibenci

Example Sentences

The idea of cheating was anathema to her.

basic

Violence is anathema to most people.

basic

For some, eating meat is anathema.

basic

Working on weekends is anathema to him—he needs his free time.

natural

For traditionalists, change can be anathema.

natural

Their strict rules are anathema to creativity.

natural