anathema
Other forms: anathemas
Something that one absolutely and positively cannot stand is anathema. Garlic is anathema to vampires (ditto for stakes and daylight). So is kryptonite to Superman or a silver bullet to a werewolf.
Originally the term anathema comes from the Catholic practice of denouncing a particular individual or idea that was antithetical to the Catholic Church. If done to a person, it excommunicated them, meaning they could no longer partake in the church's sacraments (with presumably pretty poor consequences for the soul.) That's a lot worse than kryptonite.
-
a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication
-
type of:
-
condemnation, curse, execration
an appeal to some supernatural power to inflict evil on someone or some group
-
condemnation, curse, execration
-
a detested person or thing“he is an anathema to me”
-
synonyms:
bete noire
-
type of:
-
disagreeable person, unpleasant person
a person who is not pleasant or agreeable
-
disagreeable person, unpleasant person
-
something that inspires dislike; something horrible
Vocabulary lists containing anathema
Following their victory in the "War of the Five Kings," the Lannisters consolidate their power on the Iron Throne. Although the war in the Seven Kingdoms has wound down, new conflicts arise in its bitter aftermath.
In this biography, Amy Butler Greenfield tells the story of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, a Shakespeare enthusiast who became one of the most famous cryptologists in the world.
This riveting book tells the true story of a group of prisoners of war who escaped from Germany during World War I.
Look up anathema for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.
