Standard Lemma guide

beshrew

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To invoke or wish evil upon; to curse.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

An imperative uttered as a mildly imprecatory or merely expletive introductory exclamation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

wish harm upon; invoke evil upon

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The bad witch cursed the child

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: curse, damn, bedamn, anathemize, anathemise, imprecate, maledict

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: raise, conjure, conjure up, invoke, evoke, stir, call down, arouse, bring up, put forward, call forth

History

Etymology

From Middle English beschrewen (“to curse, pervert”). By surface analysis, be- + shrew.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 咒罵 /咒骂 (zhòumà) — to invoke or wish evil upon; to curse
  • French: maudire — to invoke or wish evil upon; to curse
  • Russian: проклина́ть (proklinátʹ) — to invoke or wish evil upon; to curse