1 imprecation | Definition of imprecation

imprecation

noun
im·​pre·​ca·​tion | \ ˌim-pri-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce imprecation (audio) \

Definition of imprecation

1 : curse
2 : the act of imprecating

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Other Words from imprecation

imprecatory \ ˈim-​pri-​kə-​ˌtȯr-​ē How to pronounce imprecatory (audio) , im-​ˈpre-​kə-​ How to pronounce imprecatory (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for imprecation

Synonyms

anathema, ban, curse, execration, malediction, malison, winze [Scottish]

Antonyms

benediction, benison, blessing

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Examples of imprecation in a Sentence

He muttered imprecations under his breath. the defiant prisoner continued to hurl imprecations and insults at the guards

Recent Examples on the Web

The Media Faker, affecting a falsetto voice, is uncontrollably hurling imprecations at Trump. Daniel Henninger, WSJ, "Trump the Opera—II," 26 Dec. 2018 Yes, you were born in Portland, Ore., someone might well have asked Martin Wong, but, really — and this part is asked more as a threat or imprecation than out of inquisitiveness — tell the truth. New York Times, "The Artists Who Brought Asian-Americans Into the Annals of Contemporary Art," 12 Apr. 2018 But the music and the voices have turned harsh, and now Jew-baiting imprecations are fired like stones from slingshots. Ben Brantley, New York Times, "Review: A Flock of Shylocks Transforms ‘Merchant of Venice’," 25 Sep. 2017 The ninth Earl Spencer, Diana's brother Charles, in his eulogy hurling imprecations at the media and some seething smacks at the royal family — even as his godmother the queen listened from a few feet away? Maria Puente, USA TODAY, "Remembering Diana: What happened when millions of stiff upper lips trembled with grief," 30 Aug. 2017 But that wasn't what got them out to the rallies, to bathe in that dark energy and chant their imprecations. Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "This Is the Bleakest Moment for America in My Lifetime," 13 Aug. 2017 Franken takes this limp stick of comedy celery and tries to make a buffet out of it, returning to the mild-imprecation-and-superscript gag again and again and again. Kyle Smith, National Review, "Al Franken, Un-Funny Man of the Senate," 7 Aug. 2017 Beyond Mr. Trump’s schoolboy imprecations, the bilious environment has drawn attention to the more serious issue of the United States’ record of putting women in positions of power. Declan Walsh, New York Times, "After a Convention’s Bruising Start, a Party Struggles for Unity JULY 27, 2016," 30 July 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'imprecation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of imprecation

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for imprecation

imprecation

noun

English Language Learners Definition of imprecation

formal : an offensive word or phrase that people say when they are angry

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with imprecation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for imprecation

Nglish: Translation of imprecation for Spanish Speakers