imprecation

/,impri'keiʃn/
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imprecation

A man shouts an angry imprecation at the stormy sky.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A spoken curse; a malediction: An imprecation is a formal or serious utterance that calls for harm, evil, or misfortune to befall someone or something. It is a verbal invocation of a curse.
    • A slanderous accusation; a vehement denunciation: An imprecation can also refer to a strong verbal attack that includes harsh criticism or defamatory statements, often serving as an insult.
Usage and Examples
  • As a spoken curse:
    • The old witch muttered an imprecation against those who had wronged her.
    • He shouted imprecations at the driver who cut him off in traffic.
  • As a vehement denunciation:
    • The politician's speech was filled with imprecations against his opponents.
    • She endured the imprecations of the angry crowd.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
  • Formal and Literary Context: The word is most commonly found in formal, literary, or historical contexts. It conveys a stronger, more deliberate, and often more ritualistic sense of cursing than common words like "swearing."
  • Intent to Harm: The core of an imprecation is the speaker's intent to invoke actual harm or misfortune through words, not merely to express anger with vulgar language.
Variants and Related Words
  • Imprecate (verb): To utter a curse against; to invoke evil upon.
    • He imprecated his enemies.
  • Imprecatory (adjective): Of the nature of, or containing, an imprecation.
    • An imprecatory prayer.
Synonyms
  • Curse: A solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm.
  • Malediction: A formal word for a curse.
  • Anathema: A formal curse by a church, or a thing or person intensely disliked.
  • Denunciation: Public condemnation (shares the "vehement criticism" sense).
Antonyms
  • Benediction: A blessing.
  • Praise: Expression of approval or admiration.
  • Compliment: A polite expression of praise or admiration.
Idioms and Phrases
  • To hurl imprecations at someone: To direct a stream of curses or vehement abuse at someone.
    • The defeated general hurled imprecations at his captors.
  • Under/beneath an imprecation: Subject to a curse.
    • The treasure was said to lie under an ancient imprecation.
imprecation

A man shouts an angry imprecation at the stormy sky.

Noun
  1. a slanderous accusation
  2. the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)
    • he suffered the imprecations of the mob

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