1
as in dread
something or someone that causes fear or dread especially without reason
doing my own tax return is the bête noire that haunts me every April
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2
as in enemy
something or someone that is hated
in that organization's view, society's number one bête noire should be the drunk driver of a motor vehicle
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Recent Examples of bête noire
The illiberal Hungarian prime minister is the bete noire of the European Union, a beloved hero to a major segment of the U.S. right and most vocal statesman among nationalists in the West.
—
Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
Others also pointed to a 2010 Bon Jovi gig in Tokyo that featured images of the Dalai Lama – Beijing’s bete noire – on the stage background.
—Heather Chen, CNN, 10 Feb. 2024
Wilt Chamberlain, Russell’s friend and lifelong bete noire, tried to slow down the game by taking Russell one-on-one in half-court sets that put the massive, absurdly gifted Wilt square in the post.
—Corbin Smith, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2023
The food stylist's bete noire turned out to be foam.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2022
To some Republican participants in the hearing, the whole thing seemed like an opportunity to take easy shots at outlets like Fox News, long a bete noire of the liberal and Democratic establishment.
—Andy Meek, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2021
Final approval rests with Italian President Sergio Mattarella—a respected figure in Italy’s establishment and another bete noire of the League and 5 Star Movement.
—WSJ, 11 Feb. 2019
Much as animosity toward President Donald Trump rouses Democrats, Pelosi is a bete noire for Republicans, who’ve long targeted her as the prototype of a San Francisco liberal.
—John McCormick, Bloomberg.com, 4 Apr. 2018
Four days after McCarthy's surprise showing, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy of New York - Johnson's bete noire - entered the race for the Democratic nomination.
—The Washington Post, AL.com, 31 Mar. 2018
Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
Others also pointed to a 2010 Bon Jovi gig in Tokyo that featured images of the Dalai Lama – Beijing’s bete noire – on the stage background.
—Heather Chen, CNN, 10 Feb. 2024
Wilt Chamberlain, Russell’s friend and lifelong bete noire, tried to slow down the game by taking Russell one-on-one in half-court sets that put the massive, absurdly gifted Wilt square in the post.
—Corbin Smith, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2023
The food stylist's bete noire turned out to be foam.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2022
To some Republican participants in the hearing, the whole thing seemed like an opportunity to take easy shots at outlets like Fox News, long a bete noire of the liberal and Democratic establishment.
—Andy Meek, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2021
Final approval rests with Italian President Sergio Mattarella—a respected figure in Italy’s establishment and another bete noire of the League and 5 Star Movement.
—WSJ, 11 Feb. 2019
Much as animosity toward President Donald Trump rouses Democrats, Pelosi is a bete noire for Republicans, who’ve long targeted her as the prototype of a San Francisco liberal.
—John McCormick, Bloomberg.com, 4 Apr. 2018
Four days after McCarthy's surprise showing, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy of New York - Johnson's bete noire - entered the race for the Democratic nomination.
—The Washington Post, AL.com, 31 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bête noire
Noun
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The apocalyptic sense of dread has only been heightened by reports of hydrants running dry and a critical shortage of firefighters.Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2025
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Plagued by visions and an increasing sense of dread, Ellen encounters a force far beyond her control.Robert Lang, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The system is often the enemy in Eastwood’s movies.A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
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Historically the enemies of Christian America were secular humanists, feminists and then more recently Democrats and the woke.John Blake, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This shift in approach invites us to appreciate them on their own terms, free from the expectations of traditional spirits.Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appétit, 9 Jan. 2025
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Over 45 gallons of spirits, wine, and beer were served to 55 men in attendance.Christian Schneider, National Review, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And quoted my column, earning me weeks of vile hate messages from across the nation.Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025
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At that time Clark spoke out against all forms of hate, including antisemitism.Bob Skolnik, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Based on a 1967 Chevrolet Impala, the black beast is powered by a powerful Chevy V-8 and features parts sourced from a British Harrier fighter jet.Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2022
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Under the hood, the black beast is equipped with a 6.6-liter V-8 mated to an M40 three-speed automatic transmission.Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2022
Noun
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However, the Grinch is known for his abhorrence of Christmas and everything the season represents.Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Dec. 2024
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The ambivalence of André and his parents was culturally unexceptional, but Simone’s abhorrence wasn’t.Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Its emphasis on civilizational identity and antipathy to liberal internationalism creates opportunities for entanglements with illiberal states, such as China and Russia, that share the goal of dethroning Western liberalism and the U.S.-led international order. Loading...Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Oct. 2024
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Despite the industry’s antipathy for Joe Biden, U.S. oil output has climbed steadily during his presidency to a record 13 million bpd of oil and 125 bcfd of natural gas today.Christopher Helman, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The lawsuit, filed in September 2023 in Sacramento Superior Court, alleged the city was causing a public nuisance by allowing homeless camps on public property.Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 9 Jan. 2025
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Both appeals said the landfill is a nuisance to residents and contend the expansion needed the city's support to proceed under state law.Tom Sissom, arkansasonline.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near bête noire
Cite this Entry
“Bête noire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/b%C3%AAte%20noire. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
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