imprecatory

imprecatory — adjective

  • imprecatorypositive
  • more imprecatorycomparative
  • most imprecatorysuperlative

1. describing words, prayers, or speech that call down a curse or ask for harm to c

1.形容詞C2
釋義

describing words, prayers, or speech that call down a curse or ask for harm to come to someone

例句

Asher muttered an imprecatory phrase under his breath at the thief.

collocation: imprecatory phrase

The old manuscript contained imprecatory prayers against the kingdom's enemies.

collocation: imprecatory prayer

同義詞
  • maledictory

    nearly identical in meaning; even rarer and more literary

  • execratory

    emphasises the act of denouncing or cursing aloud; extremely rare

  • cursing

    much more common but broader; includes profanity and casual swearing, not only formal invocation of harm

反義詞
  • benedictory

    relating to blessing rather than cursing; similarly formal and rare

用法筆記

Almost always modifies nouns related to speech or religious text (prayer, psalm, verse, chant, language). Rare in everyday conversation; conveys a formal, often ritualistic sense of calling down harm.

常見錯誤

❌He shouted imprecatory words at the driver who cut him off.
✅He shouted curses at the driver who cut him off.
💡'imprecatory' suggests a formal, often ritualistic calling-down of harm, not everyday swearing or road rage.