conjure
verb
con·jure 
transitive sense 2 & intransitive senses
ˈkän-jər also
ˈkən- transitive sense 1
kən-ˈju̇r conjured; conjuring ˈkänj-riŋ
ˈkän-jə-,
ˈkənj-,
ˈkən-jə-;
kən-ˈju̇r-iŋ
transitive verb
1
: to charge or entreat earnestly or solemnly
"I conjure you … to weigh my case well … "
Sheridan Le Fanu
Sheridan Le Fanu2
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. Kaufmannconjured up a clever plan to raise the money
R. J. Kaufmannconjured 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
Herman Melville2
: 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
Peter France
Synonyms
- appeal (to)
- beg
- beseech
- besiege
- entreat
- impetrate
- implore
- importune
- petition
- plead (to)
- pray
- solicit
- supplicate
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 While their name may conjure imagery of far-flung sun beams, these particles are not photons (particles that carry light) at all, but instead a mix of high-energy particles and nuclei that rain down on Earth at every moment from deep in space. Sarah Wells, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2022 And while the paper may conjure nightmare-inducing images of robot zombie spiders for some, coauthor Daniel Preston, a professor of mechanical engineering at Rice, clarifies that their research doesn’t actually qualify as reanimation. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Aug. 2022 Paparazzi shots of guests arriving by private water taxis conjure images of Old Hollywood glamor, and so far the red carpet moments have followed suit. Leah Dolan, CNN, 2 Sep. 2022 Nothing left for Merlin to do but conjure himself a job in the NFL. Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 Scenes of everyday life, beautifully delineated, repeatedly conjure up a shimmering present in which we are held spellbound. Anna Mundow, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 Researchers say the findings may also someday help police investigators conjure up the faces of suspects from their DNA samples. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Aug. 2022 What links them is the way both artists conjure motion that is contained within the frame, so that the gestures pulse and coil. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2022 Indeed, the series of abstract vignettes, which unfold and overlap seamlessly, conjure now a noisy, rollicking house party, now a cozy gathering for good friends. Janine Parker, BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2022 See More
Sarah Wells, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2022 And while the paper may conjure nightmare-inducing images of robot zombie spiders for some, coauthor Daniel Preston, a professor of mechanical engineering at Rice, clarifies that their research doesn’t actually qualify as reanimation. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Aug. 2022 Paparazzi shots of guests arriving by private water taxis conjure images of Old Hollywood glamor, and so far the red carpet moments have followed suit. Leah Dolan, CNN, 2 Sep. 2022 Nothing left for Merlin to do but conjure himself a job in the NFL. Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 Scenes of everyday life, beautifully delineated, repeatedly conjure up a shimmering present in which we are held spellbound. Anna Mundow, WSJ, 26 Aug. 2022 Researchers say the findings may also someday help police investigators conjure up the faces of suspects from their DNA samples. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Aug. 2022 What links them is the way both artists conjure motion that is contained within the frame, so that the gestures pulse and coil. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2022 Indeed, the series of abstract vignettes, which unfold and overlap seamlessly, conjure now a noisy, rollicking house party, now a cozy gathering for good friends. Janine Parker, BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing conjure
Kids Definition
conjure
verb
con·jure ˈkän-jər
ˈkən-jər
conjured; conjuring
1
: to practice magical arts
2
: imagine sense 1
conjure up an image
3
: to produce by or as if by magic
Conjuring up portable, waterproof fires was a specialty of Hermione's. J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsconjured
verb
as in begged
to make a request to (someone) in an earnest or urgent manner I conjure you to hear my plea for mercy Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- begged
- petitioned
- asked
- prayed
- implored
- invoked
- entreated
- beseeched
- supplicated
- importuned
- besieged
- impetrated
- solicited
- required
- called on
- cadged
- requested
- besought
- compelled
- sued
- pled (to)
- insisted
- called upon
- pleaded (to)
- appealed (to)
- plead (to)
- claimed
- forced
- sponged
- coerced
- bludged
- demanded
- mooched
- desired
- commanded
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- implied
- suggested
- hinted
- intimated
- appeased
- obliged
- satisfied
- gratified
- pleased
- quieted
- placated
- pacified
- comforted
- mollified
- consoled
- contented
- conciliated