execrate

American  

[ek-si-kreyt] / ˈɛk sɪˌkreɪt /

verb (used with object)

execrated, execrating

1. to detest utterly; abhor; abominate.

2. to curse; imprecate evil upon; damn; denounce.

   He execrated all who opposed him.

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verb (used without object)

execrated, execrating

1. to utter curses.

execrate British  

/ ˈɛksɪˌkreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to loathe; detest; abhor

2. (tr) to profess great abhorrence for; denounce; deplore

3. to curse (a person or thing); damn

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Other Word Forms

• execration noun
• execrative adjective
• execratively adverb
• execrator noun
• unexecrated adjective

Etymology

Origin of execrate

1555–65; < Latin ex ( s ) ecrātus (past participle of ex ( s ) ecrārī to curse), equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + secr- (combining form of sacrāre to consecrate; sacrament ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The citizen of Oceania is not allowed to know anything of the tenets of the other two philosophies, but he is taught to execrate them as barbarous outrages upon morality and common sense.

From "1984" by George Orwell

They were of no more account than the rest of the excited populace that knew Davis but to execrate him.

From The Boys of '61 or, Four Years of Fighting, Personal Observations with the Army and Navy by Coffin, Charles Carleton

The human masses execrate the scourge, but accept it passively.

From The Forerunners by Rolland, Romain

Then come their dreary consolations, and present themselves before me; and I cast them out, and execrate them.

From Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels, Vol. I (of 2) by Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von

Dannecker, like every patronized artist I ever met with, would execrate patronage if he dared.

From Visits and Sketches at Home and Abroad with Tales and Miscellanies Now First Collected Vol. I (of 3) by Jameson, Mrs. (Anna)