sorcery

noun

sor·​cery ˈsȯr-sə-rē 

ˈsȯrs-rē

1

: the use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits especially for divining : necromancy

2

: magic sense 2a

Synonyms of sorcery

• witchcraft
• magic

Examples of sorcery in a Sentence

in olden times people suspected of sorcery were often put to death

Recent Examples on the Web

In a feat of sorcery that should have other sandwich makers crying in their beer, the ciabatta roll here is tender and comparatively thin. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026

She was found guilty of heresy and sorcery in 1441. —Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026

Whatever sorcery is at work, McFadden is a writer at the top of her game—and the undisputed mistress of the psychological thriller. —E.l. James, Time, 15 Apr. 2026

Watch On Longing for the colorful tumbling force of fantastic '80s-era sci-fi sword-and-sorcery flicks that dominated multiplexes and mom-and-pop video rental shops in the Reagan years? —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sorcerie, from Anglo-French, from sorcer sorcerer, from Medieval Latin sortiarius, from Latin sort-, sors chance, lot — more at series

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sorcery

noun

sor·​cery ˈsȯrs-(ə-)rē 

: the use of powers gotten with the help of or by the control of evil spirits : witchcraft