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Anathema: alternatives and connections

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Anathema

A ban or curse pronounced with religious solemnity by ecclesiastical authority, and accompanied by excommunication. Hence: Denunciation of anything as accursed.

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48 useful connections shown 6 reviewed relationships and 42 broader connections.
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Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

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Broader term 3

Condemnation 76% connected

The act of condemning or pronouncing to be wrong; censure; blame; disapprobation.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

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Curse 76% connected

To call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon; to imprecate evil upon; to execrate.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

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Execration 76% connected

The act of cursing; a curse dictated by violent feelings of hatred; imprecation; utter detestation expressed.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

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Derivationally related 2

Execrate 74% connected

To denounce evil against, or to imprecate evil upon; to curse; to protest against as unholy or detestable; hence, to detest utterly; to abhor; to abo…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Execrate 74% connected

To denounce evil against, or to imprecate evil upon; to curse; to protest against as unholy or detestable; hence, to detest utterly; to abhor; to abo…

oewn 2023 15% interchangeable

Open English WordNet records a derivational relationship between these word forms.

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Synonym 1

Bete noire 92% connected

Something especially hated or dreaded; a bugbear.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

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Words from the same subject

These terms belong to the same specialist field or topic. They help you explore the subject, but they are not automatically synonyms.

deixis noun · 78% connection

the function of pointing or specifying from the perspective of a participant in an act of speech or writing; aspects of a communicatio…

Used in the same subject area: Linguistics, Pragmatics.
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Illation noun · 78% connection

the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusi…

Used in the same subject area: Linguistics, Pragmatics.
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Inference noun · 78% connection

the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusi…

Used in the same subject area: Linguistics, Pragmatics.
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Speech act noun · 78% connection

the use of language to perform some act

Used in the same subject area: Linguistics, Pragmatics.
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Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

Absolution noun · 78% connection

An absolving from ecclesiastical penalties, -- for example, excommunication.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
Definition Compare
Accurst p. p. & a. · 78% connection

Doomed to destruction or misery; cursed; hence, bad enough to be under the curse; execrable; detestable; exceedingly hateful; -- as, a…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Anathematization noun · 78% connection

The act of anathematizing, or denouncing as accursed; imprecation.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Anathematize verb · 78% connection

To pronounce an anathema against; to curse. Hence: To condemn publicly as something accursed.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Asper noun · 78% connection

The rough breathing; a mark (/) placed over an initial vowel sound or over / to show that it is aspirated, that is, pronounced with h…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Blast verb · 78% connection

Hence, to affect with some sudden violence, plague, calamity, or blighting influence, which destroys or causes to fail; to visit with…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Blasted adjective · 78% connection

Confounded; accursed; detestable.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Broadside noun · 78% connection

A volley of abuse or denunciation.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Church noun · 78% connection

The aggregate of religious influences in a community; ecclesiastical influence, authority, etc.; as, to array the power of the church…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Commination noun · 78% connection

A threat or threatening; a denunciation of punishment or vengeance.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Dean noun · 78% connection

A dignitary or presiding officer in certain ecclesiastical and lay bodies; esp., an ecclesiastical dignitary, subordinate to a bishop.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Denouncement noun · 78% connection

Solemn, official, or menacing announcement; denunciation.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Denunciatory adjective · 78% connection

Characterized by or containing a denunciation; minatory; accusing; threatening; as, severe and denunciatory language.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Devout verb · 78% connection

Devoted to religion or to religious feelings and duties; absorbed in religious exercises; given to devotion; pious; reverent; religiou…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Ecclesiastical adjective · 78% connection

Of or pertaining to the church; relating to the organization or government of the church; not secular; as, ecclesiastical affairs or h…

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Ecclesiastically adverb · 78% connection

In an ecclesiastical manner; according ecclesiastical rules.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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Excision noun · 78% connection

The act of cutting off from the church; excommunication.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
Definition Compare
Excommunicable adjective · 78% connection

Liable or deserving to be excommunicated; making excommunication possible or proper.

Its definition shares important concepts with this word: curse, pronounced, religious, solemnity, ecclesiastical.
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