marabout
noun
mar·a·bout
ˈmer-ə-ˌbü 
ˈma-rə-
often capitalized
: a dervish in Muslim Africa believed to have supernatural power
Examples of marabout in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He felt harassed by the taunts of jealous friends back home, taunts transmitted by a marabout, a seer or sorcerer.
—
Julian Baggini, WSJ, 3 May 2022
Many marabouts, or religious teachers, respect children’s rights.
—The Economist, 13 June 2019
Although fighters arrive in the arena clad in tracksuits that resemble American boxers, underneath are lucky charms prescribed by the increasingly influential marabouts.
—Christian Bobst, National Geographic, 26 Mar. 2019
By her grace Zandria Robinson is a shaman, griot, marabout, holy figure in atypical package.
—Tunde Wey, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Dec. 2017
Words to know:
le marabout: witch doctor
a) Witch doctors are gloomy but marvellous.
—Henry Alford, The New Yorker, 4 June 2017
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.
Julian Baggini, WSJ, 3 May 2022
Many marabouts, or religious teachers, respect children’s rights.
—The Economist, 13 June 2019
Although fighters arrive in the arena clad in tracksuits that resemble American boxers, underneath are lucky charms prescribed by the increasingly influential marabouts.
—Christian Bobst, National Geographic, 26 Mar. 2019
By her grace Zandria Robinson is a shaman, griot, marabout, holy figure in atypical package.
—Tunde Wey, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Dec. 2017
Words to know:
le marabout: witch doctor
a) Witch doctors are gloomy but marvellous.
—Henry Alford, The New Yorker, 4 June 2017
Cite this Entry
“Marabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marabout. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share