The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word ANATHEMA
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
N
A
T
H
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M
A
More clues leading to the result ANATHEMA
- Area guarded by soldier perhaps on border, a thing that’s abhorred
- Totally unacceptable collection of articles by scholar
- Something disliked, marijuana the man’s got inside
- Hate a man unduly — becoming this?
- Object of loathing and hate a man smashed
- Hate a man becoming this?
- Curse a powerful piece of music primarily about America
- Curse a boring song, Sinatra's finale
- One greatly disliked bandana the maid displays
- Answer found in song that lifts a curse
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "One greatly disliked" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one greatly disliked = anathema.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ANATHEMA mean?
ANATHEMA noun- A ban or curse pronounced with religious solemnity by ecclesiastical authority, often accompanied by excommunication; something denounced as accursed.
- (by extension) Something which is vehemently disliked by somebody.
- An imprecation; a curse; a malediction.
- Any person or thing anathematized, or cursed by ecclesiastical authority.