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

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 withPeter France

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yes, renting buildings to paranormal investigators trying to conjure former students was regrettable, Mr. Nogelmeier says. Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2025 Full-spectrum color had been a photographic dream since the first daguerreotypes, and early moviemakers were no less determined to conjure a celluloid canvas that reflected life in all its splendor. Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025 The most important thing is that just about the entire severance project — the OTC, the Glasgow Block, all of it — seems to have been conjured up and designed by Cobel and then stolen from her by Jame Eagan. Brian Grubb, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025 Winter can conjure many images and moods, like cozy fires and blankets, buzzing aprés ski, or even a humbug attitude. Emma Sandler, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conjure

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conjure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conjure. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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-

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