What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
imprecate
Example
He imprecated the gods to bring down vengeance upon his enemies. [imprecate: verb]
Example
She imprecated the terrible traffic that made her late for work. [imprecated: past tense]
swear
Example
He swore loudly when he stubbed his toe on the table. [swore: past tense]
Example
I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. [swear: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swear is more commonly used than imprecate in everyday language. Swear is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while imprecate is less common and refers to a specific act of invoking a curse or wishing harm upon someone or something.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between imprecate and swear?
Swear is typically associated with a more formal tone, while imprecate is more informal and less commonly used in formal settings.
