1
as in spell
a spoken word or set of words believed to have magic power
the hope that there was some bewitchment that would turn their jerky son-in-law into a prince
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in witchcraft
the power to control natural forces through supernatural means
while stuck in traffic, I could have used a bit of bewitchment to clear the road of other drivers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of bewitchment
Her work, then, is the work of resuscitation via bewitchment.
—
Ocean Vuong, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
But if there is some kind of bewitchment going on in these encounters, Evelyn is entirely immune.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 19 Jan. 2025
Mercury well aspected on the 6th finds you in accord with others and Venus in Pisces accents playfulness on the 8th and romantic bewitchment on the 15th.
—Katharine Merlin, Town & Country, 1 Feb. 2023
One depends on a set of abstract rules; the other on a sequence of mutual bewitchments.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2019
Here, where both land and life are flat, the privations of rural teenage existence yield wild and elemental bewitchments.
—New York Times, 1 June 2017
The ergot fungus grows on cereals such as rye and produces several neurological symptoms that were historically attributed to bewitchment for many centuries.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 1 Dec. 2015
Ocean Vuong, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
But if there is some kind of bewitchment going on in these encounters, Evelyn is entirely immune.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 19 Jan. 2025
Mercury well aspected on the 6th finds you in accord with others and Venus in Pisces accents playfulness on the 8th and romantic bewitchment on the 15th.
—Katharine Merlin, Town & Country, 1 Feb. 2023
One depends on a set of abstract rules; the other on a sequence of mutual bewitchments.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2019
Here, where both land and life are flat, the privations of rural teenage existence yield wild and elemental bewitchments.
—New York Times, 1 June 2017
The ergot fungus grows on cereals such as rye and produces several neurological symptoms that were historically attributed to bewitchment for many centuries.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 1 Dec. 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bewitchment
Noun
-
There were improvements in players like Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri, the development of Joao Gomes and Maximilian Kilman, and the best spells in the Wolves careers of both Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-chan.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
With their wives away for a spell, the husbands swiftly unraveled at home.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Thirty-two people faced charges ranging from theft and murder to witchcraft, Claire Kehily, councillor for Maidstone Borough Council, told CNN.—
James Frater,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Its depictions of dancing devils and witches’ sabbaths are supposed to scare viewers straight, but writer-director Benjamin Christensen is also sympathetic towards the plight of medieval women persecuted for witchcraft.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her goal helped the club secure its first berth in the NWSL playoffs, snapping a ninth-place curse that had haunted the team since its debut in 2021.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
So begins a rollicking tale of superstition, a family curse and second chances.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
And then at some point, the movie turns into a full-on tale of modern-age sorcery, shifting from its historical roots into an arthouse genre flick replete with fire and demons.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Fantilli followed and used a swirl of sorcery and stick moves before beating Silovs.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That freedom and authenticity is exactly when the magic happens.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
4 Nov. 2025
-
For gospel icons Karen Clark-Sheard and Kierra Sheard-Kelly, the magic of Christmas is found at the family table, where food, faith, and love come together in perfect harmony.—
Essence,
Essence,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bewitchment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bewitchment. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share