as in sorcery
the power to control natural forces through supernatural means
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
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Recent Examples of necromancy
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
The end of an era Happily for sacrificial bats and young cousins all over Europe, necromancy was waning by the end of the 18th century.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 18 Dec. 2024
The history of necromancy is an interesting window into our past more broadly.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 18 Dec. 2024
The act was short and provided few details about what constituted witchcraft, sorcery or necromancy.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
After her death, Morgan even resorted to necromancy, reviving the People’s Princess (now embodied by Elizabeth Debicki) as an apparition who soothes a disconsolate Charles (Dominic West) and makes peace with a grieving but resentful Elizabeth (Imelda Staunton).
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2023
Part of my aversion arises from my own hidebound premodern Calvinist outlook, in which death is no laughing matter and necromancy is forbidden by God (see Deuteronomy 18:9-13).
—Barton Swaim, WSJ, 26 Oct. 2023
Season 8, which arrived on BritBox last month, includes a spooky Christmas tale, a bright spin on necromancy, a game show that doesn’t go according to plan (hosted by Lee Mack) and an off-kilter love story.
—Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
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
The end of an era Happily for sacrificial bats and young cousins all over Europe, necromancy was waning by the end of the 18th century.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 18 Dec. 2024
The history of necromancy is an interesting window into our past more broadly.
—Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 18 Dec. 2024
The act was short and provided few details about what constituted witchcraft, sorcery or necromancy.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
After her death, Morgan even resorted to necromancy, reviving the People’s Princess (now embodied by Elizabeth Debicki) as an apparition who soothes a disconsolate Charles (Dominic West) and makes peace with a grieving but resentful Elizabeth (Imelda Staunton).
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2023
Part of my aversion arises from my own hidebound premodern Calvinist outlook, in which death is no laughing matter and necromancy is forbidden by God (see Deuteronomy 18:9-13).
—Barton Swaim, WSJ, 26 Oct. 2023
Season 8, which arrived on BritBox last month, includes a spooky Christmas tale, a bright spin on necromancy, a game show that doesn’t go according to plan (hosted by Lee Mack) and an off-kilter love story.
—Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necromancy
Noun
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Yes, the warrior who fought wizards, ogres and various other monsters in the Roger Corman-produced 1983 sword and sorcery cult classic is back on the big screen.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
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Both ancient and modern pieces are curated into exhibits about sorcery, motherhood, or high-fashion gowns.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Old New England wasn’t all scarlet letters, witchcraft trials, and theocratic socialism.—
Brian T. Allen,
National Review,
19 July 2025
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Some people, however, did take issue with the museum displaying mummified cats in a recent exhibition about witchcraft.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The good news is that top performers’ success isn’t magic, and their communication style can be learned.—
Melody Wilding,
CNBC,
14 Aug. 2025
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In the 20 years since, the event has brought more than 217,000 people to the district to see more than 7,200 artists perform cutting-edge theater, magic, puppetry and other experimental shows.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Necromancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necromancy. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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