anathematize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
- anathematization noun
- anathematizer noun
- deanathematize verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of anathematize
1560–70; (< Middle French ) < Late Latin anathematizāre to put under the ban, curse, detest < Greek anathematízein to bind by a curse, make accursed, equivalent to anathemat- (stem of anáthema ) + -izein -ize
Explanation
The verb anathematize means to completely condemn, something you would do to a mortal enemy or a truly horrible person. If you've decided that your math teacher is just plain evil, you might anathematize him, or curse his name. The word anathematize comes from anathema, which means something you really hate. When you anathematize someone, you declare your hatred for that person. The root word is the Greek anathematizein, which means "to denote something to be evil."
Vocabulary lists containing anathematize
John Leonard on Doris Lessing's "Time Bites" and more
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Our Mutual Friend
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Nicholas Nickleby
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is to Mr. Hale’s great credit that he refuses to anathematize the prodigal children in his book.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
Should we anathematize communication with half the population?
From Washington Post • Dec. 31, 2020
This became another reason to anathematize Golden Books, which were for decades shunned by library buyers.
From Slate • Jan. 12, 2017
Duelling, branded by the law, is also now so branded in public opinion that it would be waste of words to anathematize it.
From The Galaxy Vol. XXIII?March, 1877.?No. 3 by Various
Do not anathematize the genius who formulates the Regulations.
From Our Battalion Being Some Slight Impressions of His Majesty's Auxiliary Forces, in Camp and Elsewhere by Raven-Hill, Leonard
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
