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exorcism

noun

Definition of exorcismnext
as in witchcraft

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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 exorcism As the chaos unfolds, a priest wearing his own protective gear arrives to perform what appears to be an exorcism as Perry drifts in and out of consciousness. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 There’s a spirit of exorcism in this approach, an implicit belief that certain loud sounds are more like elemental beings to be summoned than the logical result of wires and inputs. — Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026 But the trauma of their defeat in the final match of the 1950 World Cup to Uruguay was such that a change was necessary, like a sort of sartorial exorcism. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 17 June 2026 The Transference Theory This is a cousin of the exorcism theory. — Ravi Gupta, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for exorcism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exorcism
  1. witchcraft
  2. sorcery
  3. necromancy
  4. divination
  5. wizardry
  6. witchery
  7. magic
  8. conjuring
Noun
  • In the Middle Ages, Vocelle writes that cats become closely associated with witchcraft, which allowed for men to more widely abuse both women and the animals.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • So, while magic may be experiencing a resurgence, in many ways, witchcraft is still on trial.
    — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of witchcraft
Noun
  • Now, the sorcery of the dance floor is that this is never happening to only one dancer.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • After graduating, Papadopoulos took classes at Hunter College, bonding with classmates over sword and sorcery movies.
    — Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of sorcery
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
Definition of necromancy
Noun
  • Kylie’s divinations lead her to a small English town called Thornfield.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Other common practices among Druids include the celebration of seasonal festivals, meditation, and divination.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of divination
Noun
  • The specs are nearly identical year over year, which means the company is relying on its mathematical wizardry rather than advances in sensors and optics to derive results from its cameras.
    — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
  • By some architectural wizardry of concrete and glass the pictures inside stand to attention, as if they, too, are suspended in time and space—a collection that faces in one direction, in orderly fashion, like the Terracotta Army.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of wizardry
Noun
  • Enter kitchen witchery, a practice rooted in modern witchcraft that blends intention, ritual, and everyday cooking.
    — Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Ravn beautifully brings us inside these circles of care, which to many outsiders might have seemed as strange as witchery.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of witchery
Noun
  • Jackson provided his usual magic that’s turned him into a two-time league MVP, perhaps none more obvious than his 16-yard scramble in the first quarter.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Midcentury-modern design—and the moviemaking magic of Lucas himself.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of magic
Noun
  • Therefore, in my mind, homemade desserts were magic only grandmothers were capable of conjuring.
    — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 31 July 2026
  • Everyone here has been brought by Vernon, really, by mystical conjuring if not literal invitation, the rock star as co-author.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026
Definition of conjuring

Browse Nearby Words

exorcising
exorcism
exorcisms
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Cite this Entry

“Exorcism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exorcism. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on exorcism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about exorcism

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