conjure

[kon-jer, kuhn-, kuhn-joor]

verb (used with object)

conjured, conjuring 

1. to affect or influence by or as if by invocation or spell.

2. to effect, produce, bring, etc., by or as by magic.

   to conjure a miracle.

3. to call upon or command (a devil or spirit) by invocation or spell.

   Synonyms: invoke, raise, summon

4. to call or bring into existence by or as if by magic (usually followed byup ).

   She seemed to have conjured up the person she was talking about.

5. to bring to mind; recall (usually followed byup ).

   to conjure up the past.

6. to appeal to solemnly or earnestly.

   I conjure you to hear my plea.

7. Obsolete.,  to charge solemnly.

verb (used without object)

conjured, conjuring 

1. to call upon or command a devil or spirit by invocation or spell.

2. to practice magic.

3. to practice legerdemain.

4. Obsolete.,  to conspire.

noun

1. Chiefly Southern U.S.,  an act or instance of witchcraft, Hoodoo, or Voodoo, especially a spell.

conjure

/ ˈkʌndʒə /

verb

1. (intr) to practise conjuring or be a conjuror

2. (intr) to call upon supposed supernatural forces by spells and incantations

3. (tr) to appeal earnestly or strongly to

   I conjure you to help me

4. 1. a person thought to have great power or influence

   2. any name that excites the imagination

Other Word Forms

• unconjured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conjure¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English conj(o)uren, cunjouren, from Anglo-French, Old French conjurer, from Latin conjūrāre “to join in taking an oath, form an alliance, join a plot or conspiracy,” equivalent to con- prefix meaning “with, together” + jūrāre “to take an oath, swear,” derivative of jūr- inflectional stem of jūs “law”; con-, jury ¹, justice

Word History and Origins

Origin of conjure¹

C13: from Old French conjurer to plot, from Latin conjūrāre to swear together, form a conspiracy, from jūrāre to swear

Example Sentences

The President has used that law to impose tariffs willy-nilly, claiming the U.S. trade deficit, fentanyl trafficking, or anything else he can conjure is a “national emergency.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This is likely why she conjured up the perfect world of Farksolia at such a young age.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Eventually, however, the team facing more desperation to save its season rallied and finally conjured life.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"It's a pleasure to conjure up a little festive magic with the Pleasance in their 30th year. Local theatre is where the real wizardry happens - sparking imagination and spreading a bit of joy."

Read more on BBC

Both sides stranded multiple baserunners on several occasions, and neither was able to conjure a run with the bases loaded.

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Related Words

• exorcise 
• invoke 
• summon