as in witches
someone who is believed in some cultures to be able to use magic to cure people who are sick, to control future events, etc.
went to the shaman for a remedy
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Recent Examples of shamans
Their society was hierarchical, with those below the caciques known as the nitaínos (elites), behiques (perhaps shamans), and the naborías (usually servants and commoners).
—
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
They are known as witches or evil shamans with the ability to shape-shift into animals or other people and are both feared and respected.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Warriors, shamans and village leaders were placed in a seated position above a burning fire for months at a time, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
As niche as that plot may sound, its story is rooted in Korean tradition, where many shamans in Korea, who tend to be women, perform various rituals to chase demons away from a household or home.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
In the world of KPop Demon Hunters, the jeoseung saja are the demons that K-pop girl groups, and female shamans before them, have worked to keep at bay for generations.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 21 Aug. 2025
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
They are known as witches or evil shamans with the ability to shape-shift into animals or other people and are both feared and respected.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Warriors, shamans and village leaders were placed in a seated position above a burning fire for months at a time, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
As niche as that plot may sound, its story is rooted in Korean tradition, where many shamans in Korea, who tend to be women, perform various rituals to chase demons away from a household or home.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
In the world of KPop Demon Hunters, the jeoseung saja are the demons that K-pop girl groups, and female shamans before them, have worked to keep at bay for generations.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shamans
Noun
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Many of them involve tales of monsters, witches and the supernatural told firsthand by people who claim to be witnesses as well as historians who've chronicled accounts over time.—
Laura L. Davis,
Nashville Tennessean,
31 Oct. 2025
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John Updike’s 1984 novel about a trio of witches in contemporary Rhode Island isn’t the most natural fodder for a big-budget special-effects comedy, nor was George Miller the best fit to direct such a thing, however eclectic his filmography.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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After all, the film series follows a group of street magicians — played by Eisenberg, Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco — who famously use tricks to steal from the wealthy.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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While the club has provided a diverse range of programming for more than 70 years – including magicians, jugglers and carnival acts – Crazy Horse Paris is also known for welcoming in celebrity guest performances.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Even for experienced sorceresses and wizards, chaos comes with a cost.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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Three years after their wonderfully creepy first feature film Coraline, the stop-motion wizards at Laika released this horror comedy about an 11-year-old boy who can communicate with the dead.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Based on Gege Akutami’s manga, the film follows Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru, two sorcerers tasked with protecting Amanai Riko, a student chosen as the Star Plasma Vessel, while being pursued by curse users and a religious cult.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Oct. 2025
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The sorcerers also reveal that Bruce Banner has become Infinity Hulk, a living vessel for the Infinity Stones.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Yennefer is gathering mages to help get to him from all angles.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Our conjure drives the cinematic imagination of Americans like the hags who ride our backs during our darkest nightmares.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Oct. 2025
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Rather than hang out with the two old hags, Cherry decides to try her luck on the stand-up paddleboards with Brigitte and Daniel, but quickly loses her balance.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shamans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shamans. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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