Words / C2

uh-NATH-uh-m-uh/əˈnæθəmə/

Something is anathema to you if you hate and reject it completely: be anathema to, anathema to auditors. Originally a religious curse. Hate is everyday; taboo is a social ban. Anatomy is a lookalike. Do not use it for a mild dislike of coffee.

Meaning

Something you hate and reject completely (be anathema to).

Examples

• “A shared password was anathema to the auditor, slogan or not.”
• “A shared password was anathema to the auditor, brand film or not.”
• “Hate is everyday. Taboo is what a group forbids. The old sense is a curse. Anatomy is body-science. Grammar: X is anathema to Y (often uncountable in this use).”

Good to know

A detested thing (be anathema to). Everyday: hate. Cousin: taboo (social ban). Mix-up: anatomy. Not a mild preference.

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