curse

curse

noun

Definition of CURSE

1

a prayer that harm will come to someone <uttered a curse upon his persecutor from the scaffold>

Synonyms anathema, ban, execration, imprecation, malediction, malison, winze [Scottish]

Related Words censure, condemnation, damnation, denunciation, excommunication; hex, hoodoo, jinx, mojo, spell, voodoo, whammy; pox

Near Antonyms citation, commendation, endorsement (also indorsement)

Antonyms benediction, benison, blessing

2

a disrespectful or indecent word or expression <started muttering curses after hitting his thumb with the hammer>

Synonyms curse, cuss, cussword, dirty word, expletive, four-letter word, obscenity, profanity, swear, vulgarism

Related Words bawdry, language, scurrility; execration, imprecation, malediction; epithet, name; oath

3

a source of harm or misfortune <intolerance of personal differences is a curse of humanity>

Synonyms affliction, curse, nemesis, scourge

Related Words hex, hoodoo, jinx; danger, hazard, menace, peril, risk, threat, trouble; booby trap, catch, pitfall, snag

Near Antonyms advantage, aid, assistance, gift, help, relief, support; comfort, consolation, solace; delight, joy, pleasure; armor, defense, guard, protection, safeguard, safety, security, shield

Antonyms benefit, blessing, boon, felicity, godsend, good, manna, windfall