Definition of Anathema:
Anathema (noun): Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes; a formal curse by a religious authority, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine.
Synonyms: abomination, outrage, disgrace, pariah
Antonyms: blessing, praise, approval, favorite
Memory Tip: Think of “anathema” as something so disliked or hated that it’s almost like a curse, like someone might say, “That idea is anathema to me.”
Conversation and Short Story Examples
Here is how “anathema” can be used in a casual conversation:
- Jake: Are you coming to the meeting?
Emily: No way, that group’s ideas are an anathema to everything I believe in.
Let’s see how “anathema” can be used in a narrative context:
- In the small, close-knit village, any deviation from tradition was considered an anathema. When a young woman dared to suggest a new way of celebrating the harvest festival, the elders reacted with shock and anger. To them, her modern ideas were nothing short of blasphemy, an anathema that threatened to unravel the very fabric of their community. The woman found herself ostracized, her name spoken only in hushed tones, as if she had committed an unforgivable sin.
Everyday Conversations
Here are examples of how to use “anathema” in a sentence during everyday conversations. Each sentence using “anathema” shows how it might naturally come up in casual dialogue:
- The idea of animal cruelty is an anathema to most people today.
- For someone who values honesty, lying is an anathema.
- The new policy was an anathema to the employees, who valued flexibility and freedom in their work.
Business and Professional Settings
Here are sentences using “anathema” in a professional setting. These examples of “anathema” in a sentence demonstrate how it can be applied in business and work environments:
- In a company that prides itself on innovation, sticking to outdated methods is an anathema.
- The concept of micromanagement was an anathema to the team leader, who believed in empowering his employees.
Educational and Academic Examples
These sentences show how “anathema” can be used in academic settings. Each sentence with “anathema” emphasizes its relevance in educational and scholarly contexts:
- The idea of plagiarism is an anathema in academic circles, where original work is highly valued.
- The professor found the misuse of research data to be an anathema, going against the ethics of scholarly work.
Social and Cultural Contexts
Here are examples of “anathema” in a sentence within social and cultural contexts. Each sentence for “anathema” highlights its application in discussions about society and culture:
- In many cultures, disrespecting one’s elders is considered an anathema.
- The idea of eating meat is an anathema to strict vegetarians, who find it morally unacceptable.
Part of Speech
Explore how “anathema” is used in different parts of speech:
- Noun: The concept of cheating in sports is an anathema to those who value fair play.
- Adjective (Anathematized): The anathematized practice of child labor was finally abolished after years of activism.
Tenses
Examples of “anathema” used in different tenses:
- Past Tense: The policy was an anathema to the employees, who opposed it strongly.
- Present Tense: The idea of inequality is an anathema to those who believe in justice for all.
- Future Tense: Any form of dishonesty will be an anathema in our organization moving forward.
Moods
How “anathema” is used in different moods:
- Imperative Mood: Avoid anything that could be considered an anathema to your core values!
- Interrogative Mood: Why is this policy such an anathema to the community?
- Exclamatory Mood: What an anathema that idea is!
Voices
How “anathema” is used in different voices:
- Active Voice: The community anathematized those who broke with tradition.
- Passive Voice: The anathema was directed at anyone who dared to challenge the status quo.
Literary Devices
How “anathema” can be used in various literary devices:
- Metaphor: The new law was an anathema, a dark cloud over the town that no one could escape.
- Simile: The idea was like an anathema to him, something he couldn’t accept no matter how hard he tried.
- Personification: The anathema seemed to grow, casting a shadow over everyone who encountered it.
- Alliteration: The anathema against all that was new and different was palpable in the room.
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