# anathema

/əˈnæθəmə/ (US) · /ɐnˈæθəmɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/anathema
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. something strongly disliked

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

something that you hate or strongly disagree with because it is the opposite of what you believe.

For teachers: something or someone vehemently disliked or loathed, often because it contradicts one's core principles.

- The idea of working in a noisy office was anathema to him.
- To a dedicated environmentalist, the proposed expansion of the coal mine was absolute anathema.

Usage: Usually follows the verb 'to be' and is followed by the preposition 'to'.

### 2. a formal curse

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Archaic

a formal curse or religious ban that kicks someone out of a church.

For teachers: a formal ecclesiastical ban or curse involving excommunication and denunciation.

- The council pronounced an anathema against the leader of the new group.
- In the medieval period, an official anathema could effectively strip a person of all social and legal standing within the community.

Teaching tip: This historical sense is rare in modern conversation; learners will mostly encounter it in history books or religious texts.

## Examples

- The loud music was an anathema to the quiet neighbors.
- To the local community, the proposed highway was an anathema because it would destroy the historic park.
- While the new policy was intended to streamline operations, it became an anathema to the staff who felt their autonomy was being systematically stripped away.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.