imprecatory

An imprecatory verse in the psalm calls for divine justice.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Expressing a curse or malediction: "imprecatory" describes language, speech, or writing that calls down evil, harm, or punishment upon someone or something. It is often used in religious, legal, or rhetorical contexts where a formal curse is invoked.

Usage Examples

• (The speech expressed curses or calls for harm.)
• (These psalms contain curses asking God to punish.)
• (His manner of speaking was full of angry, cursing language.)

Advanced Usage

• "Imprecatory prayer": a type of prayer that asks God to bring judgment or calamity upon one’s enemies, found in certain religious traditions.

  • The congregation debated the appropriateness of imprecatory prayers in modern worship. (Prayers that invoke curses on adversaries.)

• "Imprecatory language in legal documents": formal wording that imposes a curse or penalty as a sanction.

  • Ancient treaties often included imprecatory clauses, threatening divine wrath on violators. (Clauses that called down curses on those who broke the agreement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Imprecate (verb): to invoke evil upon; to curse.

  • The angry mob began to imprecate against the traitor. (They called down curses on him.)

• Imprecation (noun): a spoken curse; the act of cursing.

  • He muttered an imprecation under his breath. (He whispered a curse.)

Synonyms

• Cursing: using words that express a wish for harm.
• Maledictory: relating to a curse or malediction.
• Damning: expressing condemnation or doom.

Related Idioms

• Call down curses on: to invoke or wish harm upon someone.

  • The defeated leader called down curses on his conquerors. (He expressed imprecatory wishes against them.)

• Rain curses upon: to utter many curses in anger.

  • She rained curses upon the person who betrayed her. (She used imprecatory language repeatedly.)