bête noire

noun

ˌbet-ˈnwär How to pronounce bête noire (audio)
Definition of bête noirenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bête noire
  1. dread
  2. enemy
  3. spirit
  4. hate
  5. black beast
  6. abhorrence
  7. antipathy
  8. nuisance
Noun
  • And Answers For Thursday, March 20 Design your location deliberately Live somewhere that inspires you, not fills you with dread.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Its wartime atmosphere gives it a sense of dread all its own and its set pieces are all doozies, especially the Statue of Liberty climax.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of dread
Noun
  • The idea that the most dangerous threats aren't always foreign enemies but those operating within one's own ranks mirrors real-world concerns about internal security breaches and shifting allegiances.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
  • And aren’t Putin and Russia our antagonists and enemies?
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • But that resilience and spirit are certainly being tested, with the Heat’s last win coming nearly three weeks ago on March 3 in a home victory over the Washington Wizards.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Smells like teen spirit As bloody and grim as Greek myths have always been, Santa Monica Studio established even darker trappings with 2005’s God of War.
    — Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of spirit
Noun
  • On March 16, the singer opened up on Instagram Stories about his journey toward letting go of hate.
    — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2025
  • To me, one of the things that's important for our ability to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate is having strong democratic institutions.
    — Kaity Kline, NPR, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of hate
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of black beast
Noun
  • Tolin doesn’t candy coat the animosity, helping children to understand how artists and Others continue to be misunderstood and how that lack of appreciation fuels abhorrence.
    — Natasha Gural, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • One point that has been made is that President Trump, like President Reagan before him, has an abhorrence of nuclear weapons and would like to pursue a policy of denuclearization.
    — David Szondy, New Atlas, 6 Feb. 2025
Definition of abhorrence
Noun
  • The public response to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson late last year has revealed deep antipathy toward the health care industry.
    — Caitlin Owens, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Many have also long felt a low-level antipathy toward the U.S., held back for decades by fear and the desire to be good neighbors.
    — Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of antipathy
Noun
  • Along with claims of trespass and nuisance, Energy Transfer alleges that Greenpeace defamed the company to its financial backers.
    — Jennifer Safstrom, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
  • While some travelers may view passing through the security line as a nuisance, TSA plays a critical role in the safety of traveling throughout the U.S. – and their work expands far beyond airports.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of nuisance

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bet
bête noire
bêtes noires
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Cite this Entry

“Bête noire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/b%C3%AAte%20noire. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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