Vocabulary Spotlight

Accursed

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: Under a curse or experiencing a strong feeling of dislike or hatred; doomed or condemned.

“Legend has it that the accursed treasure brings misfortune to anyone who possesses it.”

Pronunciation

[uh-KUR-sid]

Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

Synonyms

Cursed
Doomed
Damned
Hexed
Blighted

Antonyms

Blessed
Fortunate
Lucky
Favored
Protected

Related Words

Curse
Malignant
Bane

Word Origin

“Accursed” is derived from the Middle English word “acursed,” meaning “damned or doomed,” with roots in “curse.”

Word Family

Adjective: Accursed – Under a curse or condemned.

Noun: Curse – An expression of misfortune or doom.

Mnemonics

Think “A Curse Said” – Accursed describes someone or something that has been cursed.

Industry-specific Usage

Literature

In literature, accursed characters are often portrayed as cursed or doomed by fate, like in Shakespearean tragedies.

History

Some historical artifacts are rumored to be accursed, believed to bring misfortune to those who handle them.

Folklore

Folklore often speaks of accursed lands or objects, surrounded by legends of doom and misfortune.

In Context

Accursed is commonly used to describe a person, place, or object believed to be under a curse, often in fictional or superstitious contexts, implying a sense of doom or misfortune.

Vocabulary Challenges

1. What is a synonym for “Accursed”?

Blessed
Fortunate
Lucky
Doomed

‘Doomed’ is the correct synonym, as it implies being condemned or under a curse.

2. Fill in the blank: The _______ object was believed to bring bad luck to anyone who touched it.

blessed
accursed
lucky
fortunate

‘Accursed’ is correct as it implies the object was thought to bring misfortune.

3. In which context would “accursed” be MOST appropriate?

A blessed wedding ring
A lucky charm
A fortunate discovery
A cursed artifact in a horror story

‘A cursed artifact in a horror story’ is appropriate as accursed implies something under a curse or doomed.