Imprecate

To utter or invoke curses; to call down evil or misfortune upon someone or something. This act often involves a strong emotional response, fueled by anger, frustration, or a desire for retribution. Imprecations are typically delivered in a formal or solemn manner, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the intensity of the speaker's feelings. The intent is to inflict harm, whether literal or symbolic, on the target. Often found in literature and religious texts, the word conveys a powerful expression of negativity, intended to evoke a sense of dread or fear. The nature of an imprecation varies, ranging from pronouncements of ill-fate to specific spells or wishes of harm, all with the aim of causing suffering or punishment.

Imprecate meaning with examples

• Consumed by rage after the betrayal, the queen began to imprecate her treacherous advisors, her voice echoing through the throne room. She called down plagues, famines, and eternal damnation upon them, her words laced with venomous intent. The severity of her imprecations sent shivers down the spines of even her loyal subjects. She hoped the curses would bring forth a quick end to the plotters and a swift end to their existence.
• During the witch trials, the accused were often forced to imprecate themselves, renouncing their purported pacts with evil. To declare this act of imprecating implied the speaker was willing to face judgement from the court and from the church. Their pronouncements, filled with self-condemnation, served as evidence of their guilt. This self-imprecating act, combined with the threat of torture, ensured many false confessions.
• In the ancient scrolls, the prophet, witnessing the city's moral decay, launched a series of imprecations upon the inhabitants. He foretold of floods, earthquakes, and societal collapse, his voice booming with righteous anger. These dire predictions were presented as divine judgements for the community's wickedness, intended to be a warning of the coming wrath and hopefully encourage repentance.
• The losing team's fans, frustrated by a series of questionable calls, began to imprecate the referee after the match. They hurled accusations and curses, wishing for the official's misfortune and a swift demise of their career. Their imprecations expressed their deep disappointment and their sense of injustice at the loss of their game and the loss of their potential rewards.