Meaning & use
imprecatory
Last updated
Expressing a curse or calling down harm or evil upon someone.
See it in a sentence
Scholars debate how to interpret the Bible's imprecatory psalms, which call for judgment on enemies.
The old poem includes an imprecatory verse wishing misfortune on the betrayer.
A note on using this word
A formal, mostly literary or theological term, rarely heard in casual conversation.
Words with a similar meaning
maledictory
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
benedictory
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “imprecatory”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.