exorcism

noun

ex·​or·​cism ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsi-zəm  -sər- 

1

: the act or practice of exorcising

2

: a spell or formula used in exorcising

exorcist

ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsist  -sər- 

-səst

noun

exorcistic

ˌek-ˌsȯr-ˈsi-stik  -sər- 

adjective

or exorcistical

ˌek-ˌsȯr-ˈsi-sti-kəl  -sər- 

Examples of exorcism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In my case, a boy named Ben is forced to participate in a Buddhist exorcism to remove the feminine spirit from his body. — Literary Hub, 7 May 2026

As the chaos unfolds, a priest wearing his own protective gear arrives to perform what appears to be an exorcism as Perry drifts in and out of consciousness. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

There will be mass hallucinations, legal exorcisms, shady book launderers, and scarlet daggers. — Willa Rubin, NPR, 1 May 2026

Religious leaders may use prayer, pastoral counseling, and even exorcism as conversion practices. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exorcism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism

Kids Definition

exorcism

noun

ex·​or·​cism ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsiz-əm 

-sər-

: the act or practice of exorcising

exorcist

-ˌsist 

-səst

noun