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

Lamine Yamal was doing this… A bit of sorcery that helped Spain vault to victory over France and eventually to the European title. —Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025

Glinda’s sorcery may be manufactured rather than a natural gift like Elphaba’s, but her heart is genuine, often seeming to burst out of her chest in crystalline vocals colored by as much vulnerability as sweetness. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025

Some cases belie the images of a modern nation – in one, a Saudi woman and a Yemeni man were executed after being accused of kidnapping babies to practice sorcery. —Muhammad Darwish, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025

Don’t be afraid to explore the many layers and sensual sorcery surrounding this transit. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025

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