necromancy

1 of 2

noun

nec·​ro·​man·​cy ˈne-krə-ˌman(t)-sē 

1

: conjuration (see conjure sense 2a) of the spirits of the dead for purposes of magically revealing the future or influencing the course of events

The novel centers on the practice of necromancy and its influence on the world of the living.

2

: magic, sorcery

Townspeople accused her of necromancy.

necromancer

ˈne-krə-ˌman(t)-sər 

noun

necromantic

ˌne-krə-ˈman-tik 

adjective

necromantically

ˌne-krə-ˈman-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

necromantic

2 of 2

adjective

nec·​ro·​man·​tic

1

: given to the practice of necromancy

a necromantic sorcerer

2

a

: of, relating to, or associated with necromancy

mysterious necromantic rites

b

: accomplished or produced by necromancy

necromantic delusions

3

: used in necromancy

strange necromantic powders and other weird objects

necromantically

-tə̇k(ə)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of necromancy

Noun

• sorcery
• witchcraft
• magic

Examples of necromancy in a Sentence

Noun

The town accused her of witchcraft and necromancy.

in the conjuring of the souls of the dead, necromancy seemed to offer human beings a means of exerting some control over an uncertain world

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The movie, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary on May 3, showed us how to use our magic and morals to decide whether to embrace necromancy and the occult. —Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026

Hedva’s practice cooks magic, necromancy, and divination together with mystical states of fury and ecstasy, and political states of solidarity and disintegration. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026

Former Disney star Calum Worthy is trying his hand at digital necromancy — and a lot people aren't happy about it. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Nov. 2025

Draco and Hermione become Kaine and Helena, England becomes Paladia, the dark arts become necromancy, and Harry Potter becomes Luc Holdfast. —Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025

As Calhoun summarizes, the first part takes up the subject of magic and necromancy, the second treats of witchcraft and sorcery, and the third discourses of all kinds of spirits and specters. —Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025

One of the buzziest debuts of the fall is this riveting dark fantasy in which a woman with missing memories must survive a world of necromancy and alchemy. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025

Disney has been dabbling in digital necromancy ever since Rogue One, which featured a recreation of Peter Cushing's likeness as Grand Moff Tarkin. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

Here’s Page’s step-by-step guide on how to go about medieval necromancy in a productive, yet safe, manner. —Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English nycromancie "sorcery, conjuration of spirits," borrowed from Late Latin necromantīa "divination from an exhumed corpse," borrowed from Late Greek nekromanteía "divination by conjuration of the dead," from Greek nekro- necro- + -manteia -mancy; replacing earlier Middle English nigromance, nygromancye, borrowed from Anglo-French nigromance, nigromancie, borrowed from Medieval Latin nigromantia, alteration of necromantia by association with Latin nigr-, niger "black"

Note: The ancient Greek correspondents to later nekromanteía were nekyomanteía and nékyia (from nékȳs "corpse"), the former used particularly to describe Odysseus's journey to Hades in Book 11 of the Odyssey to consult the spirits of the dead.

Adjective

Late Latin necromanticus, from necromantia + Latin -icus -ic

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for necromancy

• chancy
• dancy
• fancy
• fiancee

Kids Definition

necromancy

noun

nec·​ro·​man·​cy ˈnek-rə-ˌman(t)-sē 

1

: the art or practice of calling up the spirits of the dead for magical purposes

2

: magic sense 1

necromancer

-sər 

noun