as in magic
the art or skill of performing tricks or illusions for entertainment
Houdini's powers of prestidigitation remain legendary to this very day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 prestidigitation
This is a classic prestidigitation by the utilities.
—
U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Still, getting elected governor as an independent could be Duggan's greatest act of political prestidigitation yet.
—M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
All are likely to face formidable new competition, although an argument can be made that more venues will create more demand in a city with an auspicious history of prestidigitation.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
But what drew Carson to this kind of misdirection and prestidigitation to begin with?
—Isaac Butler, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2024
In this era of the prestidigitation that is digitation, the sheer, laundry-bag bulk of the contents of these archives is stunning.
—Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 10 May 2023
But the magician must constantly update his tricks as the audience catches on, and new crises reveal the mechanisms behind the prestidigitation.
—Justin E. H. Smith, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022
U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Still, getting elected governor as an independent could be Duggan's greatest act of political prestidigitation yet.
—M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
All are likely to face formidable new competition, although an argument can be made that more venues will create more demand in a city with an auspicious history of prestidigitation.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
But what drew Carson to this kind of misdirection and prestidigitation to begin with?
—Isaac Butler, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2024
In this era of the prestidigitation that is digitation, the sheer, laundry-bag bulk of the contents of these archives is stunning.
—Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 10 May 2023
But the magician must constantly update his tricks as the audience catches on, and new crises reveal the mechanisms behind the prestidigitation.
—Justin E. H. Smith, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prestidigitation
magic
Noun
-
But the Wit, if used too often, is a perilous magic, and one abhorred by the nobility.—
Ashlee Conour,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The humble captain Alex Karaban turned down a tough look for a better one from his freshman, and Mullins made magic.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prestidigitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prestidigitation. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
