Meaning & use
imprecations
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“imprecations” is a form of “imprecation”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralformalliterary
Angry words that wish harm on someone or express strong rage, often swearing or cursing.
Grammar: Plural of imprecation and often used with hurl, mutter or shout: he muttered imprecations.
Patterns
- hurl imprecations at someone
- mutter imprecations
The driver shouted imprecations at the car that cut him off.
She muttered imprecations under her breath as the printer jammed.
The crowd hurled imprecations at the referee.
nounpluralformalreligion
Spoken wishes, as in prayers or curses, that evil or misfortune will fall on a person.
Grammar: Usually used in religious or dramatic contexts: the imprecations of the prophet.
Patterns
- call down imprecations on someone
The old priest called down imprecations on the thieves.
In the play, the king pours imprecations on his enemies.
Ancient tablets record imprecations against those who disturb the grave.
Word forms
| singular | imprecation |
|---|
Common combinations
- hurl imprecations
- Protesters hurled imprecations at the passing motorcade.
- mutter imprecations
- He muttered imprecations about the weather.
- shout imprecations
- Neighbors shouted imprecations across the fence.
- a stream of imprecations
- A stream of imprecations followed the dropped tray.
- imprecations against
- The poem contains imprecations against tyrants.
Synonyms and how they differ
- curses
- Curses is the plainer, everyday word and can mean either swearing or a supernatural spell, while imprecations is more formal and literary.
- expletives
- Expletives are swear words said in anger and need not wish harm on anyone, while imprecations suggest bitter hostility.
- oaths
- Oaths can mean either swearing or solemn promises, whereas imprecations are only angry or hostile words.
- maledictions
- Maledictions is even more formal and rare, and it stresses calling down evil on someone.
Opposites
Word family
- imprecation noun
- a single curse or angry utterance
- imprecate verb
- to call down a curse on someone
- imprecatory adjective
- expressing or containing a curse
Commonly confused: imprecations or deprecation?
imprecations vs deprecation
Deprecation means disapproval or expressing criticism, while imprecation means a curse or angry words.
Practice
The crowd hurled ______ at the umpire after the unfair call.
Choose one answer.
Imprecations are angry, cursing words, which fit a crowd furious at a bad decision. The other options express kindness or regret.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “imprecations”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.