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

Explanation

The verb anathematize means to completely condemn, something you would do to a mortal enemy or a truly horrible person. If you've decided that your math teacher is just plain evil, you might anathematize him, or curse his name. The word anathematize comes from anathema, which means something you really hate. When you anathematize someone, you declare your hatred for that person. The root word is the Greek anathematizein, which means "to denote something to be evil."

Example Sentences

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

We anathematize also the Anomœans, in spite of their pretence not to be Arians.

From The Arian Controversy by Gwatkin, Henry Melvill

They proceeded to anathematize each other, and when induced by friends they met at a conference, each claimed the victory in the argument.

From The Century of Columbus by Walsh, James J.