imprecation

noun

im·​pre·​ca·​tion ˌim-pri-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce imprecation (audio)
1
: curse
2
: the act of imprecating

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The reality is that consumers could easily reduce their carbon footprints by changing their thermostats, buying smaller cars and driving more slowly, but few seem willing to do so despite the many imprecations from climate change activists. Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 The cabdriver—a scrawny older man—drives rapidly and erratically, cutting off other vehicles, muttering imprecations in an unfamiliar language under his breath, swerving in and out of lanes, blowing his horn to force laggard drivers to let him by. Annie Proulx, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024 For all of Trump’s imprecations against allies in general and NATO in particular, only one Republican senator, Joshua Hawley of Missouri, voted no. William Inboden, Foreign Affairs, 9 Nov. 2022 Dimly lit, the dancers enact a ritual, flailing their arms in imprecation, grabbing an outstretched flexed foot, bowing in subjugation but also drawing strength from the ground, from their roots. Jeffrey Gantz, BostonGlobe.com, 14 May 2022 That at times gives them the distasteful task of wrestling with demonstrators clad in prayer shawls, or facing down children who shout imprecations at them. Noga Tarnopolsky, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2020 The Media Faker, affecting a falsetto voice, is uncontrollably hurling imprecations at Trump. Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 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, 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, 25 Sep. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of imprecation was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Imprecation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imprecation. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

imprecation

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

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