anathematize

American  

[uh-nath-uh-muh-tahyz] / əˈnæθ ə məˌtaɪz /

especially British, anathematise

verb (used with object)

anathematized, anathematizing

1. to pronounce an anathema against; denounce; curse.

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verb (used without object)

anathematized, anathematizing

1. to pronounce anathemas; curse.

anathematize British  

/ əˈnæθɪməˌtaɪz /

verb

1. to pronounce an anathema (upon a person, etc); curse

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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

Example Sentences

Mr. Von Drehle anathematized the actions of the Mississippi legislators as being in “open defiance” when they passed a law banning most abortions after 15 weeks.

From Washington Post

Disagreeing with certain ideas, however, is very different from anathematizing the collective work of a host of paradigm-shifting thinkers.

From New York Times

Or, as William F. Buckley Jr. put it in his quest to purge the Birchers from conservatism 60 years ago, linkage with extremists might allow the media “to anathematize the entire American right wing.”

From Washington Post

They will also frequently anathematize the fellow, reducing him to a vulgar epithet for a body part.

From Scientific American

How to remember a man they anathematized for eight years but who enjoys both the overwhelming affection of the American people and decisive vindication by history?

From Washington Post