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
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
Rich,—for he had paid the drinks; travelled,—they had his assertion for it; courageous,—he could anathematize the Archbishop; Miséricorde had seldom such a novelty all to itself.
From The Young Seigneur Or, Nation-Making by Lighthall, W. D. (William Douw)
Next we anathematize Sabellius, for we confess the eternity and reality of the Son and the Holy Spirit.
From The Arian Controversy by Gwatkin, Henry Melvill
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.
