conjure

verb

con·​jure
transitive sense 2 & intransitive senses
ˈkän-jər How to pronounce conjure (audio)
also
ˈkən- How to pronounce conjure (audio)
transitive sense 1
kən-ˈju̇r How to pronounce conjure (audio)
conjured; conjuring ˈkänj-riŋ How to pronounce conjure (audio)
ˈkän-jə-,
ˈkənj-,
ˈkən-jə-;
kən-ˈju̇r-iŋ
Synonyms of conjurenext

transitive verb

1
: to charge or entreat earnestly or solemnly
"I conjure you … to weigh my case well … "—Sheridan Le Fanu
2
a
: to summon by or as if by invocation or incantation
b(1)
: to affect or effect by or as if by magic
(2)
: imagine, contrive
—often used with up
We conjure up our own metaphors for our own needs …—R. J. Kaufmann
conjured up a clever plan to raise the money
(3)
: to bring to mind
words that conjure pleasant images
—often used with up
conjure up memories

intransitive verb

1
a
: to summon a devil or spirit by invocation or incantation
b
: to practice magical arts
… prayed and conjured, but all was useless …—Herman Melville
2
: to use a conjurer's tricks : juggle
Phrases
conjure with
chiefly British : to treat or regard as important
Victor Hugo is a name to conjure with …—Peter France

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of conjure in a Sentence

a magician who conjures live doves from silk scarves The students conjured a clever scheme to raise the money they needed.
Recent Examples on the Web The combination instantly conjures the icy feeling of the first snow. —Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024 For God’s sake, its theme song conjures a clowns’ circus suite — whoopee-cushion tuba, banana-peel woodwinds. —Wesley Morris Ron Butler Emma Kehlbeck Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conjure 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conjure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French conjurer, from Latin conjurare to join in taking an oath, from com- + jurare to swear — more at jury

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conjure was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing conjure

Dictionary Entries Near conjure

conjuration

conjure

conjurer

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Conjure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conjure. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

conjure

verb
con·​jure ˈkän-jər How to pronounce conjure (audio) ˈkən- How to pronounce conjure (audio)
in sense 1
kən-ˈju̇(ə)r How to pronounce conjure (audio)
conjured; conjuring
1
: to beg earnestly or solemnly : beseech
2
a
: to call forth (as a spirit or a devil) by magical words
b
: to produce as if by magic
her imagination conjured up a splendid scene
managed to conjure up something for lunch
3
: to practice magic or magical tricks
conjurer noun
or conjuror
ˈkän-jər-ər,
ˈkən-

More from Merriam-Webster on conjure

Nglish: Translation of conjure for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of conjure for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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