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

The songs are a type of emotional exorcism, an expression of primal emotion that could not be shared in another way, with the rhythm of the film always framing them as a type of catharsis. — Zachary Lee, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026

An online search showed no info on it being used in an exorcism. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

The Gators, though, should romp in a necessary exorcism of 2025’s demons. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Written after the 2022 death of drummer and friend Taylor Hawkins, the song felt like a moment of catharsis for Grohl, the emotion in his voice audible and his guitar playing an exorcism of emotional pain. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Aug. 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