If something is anathemato you, you strongly dislike it.
Violence was anathema to them. [+ to]
Synonyms: abomination, bête noire, enemy, pariah More Synonyms of anathema
anathema in British English
(əˈnæθəmə)
nounWord forms: plural-mas
1.
a detested person or thing
such views were anathema to them
2.
a formal ecclesiastical curse of excommunication or a formal denunciation of a doctrine
3.
the person or thing so cursed
4.
a strong curse; imprecation
Word origin
C16: via Church Latin from Greek: something accursed, dedicated (to evil), from anatithenai to dedicate, from ana- + tithenai to set
anathema in American English
(əˈnæθəmə)
nounWord forms: pluralaˈnathemas
1.
a thing or person accursed or damned
2.
a thing or person greatly detested
3.
a.
a solemn ecclesiastical condemnation of a teaching judged to be gravely opposed to accepted church doctrine, or of the originators or supporters of such a teaching
b.
the excommunication often accompanying or following this condemnation
adjective
4.
greatly detested
5.
viewed as accursed or damned
6.
subjected to an ecclesiastical anathema
Word origin
LL(Ec) < Gr, thing devoted to evil; previously, anything devoted < anatithenai, to dedicate < ana-, up + tithenai, to place: see do1
Examples of 'anathema' in a sentence
anathema
Such a view may seem anathema in rugby union.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Not only was it complete cultural anathema for them to take political action but they risked their lives in doing so.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The idea is anathema to them.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The very idea is anathema to Fiennes.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Rather, the subject provokes such intense controversy that it periodically becomes anathema.
Herman, Judith Lewis Trauma and Recovery (1992)
This may be anathema to top-flight diplomats disdainful of consular drudgery and commercialism.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Theirs is a party that requires coalition for power, and if coalition itself becomes anathema to voters the party soon will be, too.