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
Related 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 shamans
Researchers believe the structures served as elite burial sites for leaders, priests, or shamans, challenging earlier assumptions that Funnelbeaker societies were strictly egalitarian.
—
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
By 1901, just seventeen years after contact with the outside world, shamans were cutting their hair, getting baptized, and taking Danish Christian names.
—Ben Taub, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
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
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
By 1901, just seventeen years after contact with the outside world, shamans were cutting their hair, getting baptized, and taking Danish Christian names.
—Ben Taub, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shamans
Noun
-
The growing popularity of Etsy witches is what caught the attention of Rohit Thawani, 44, who works at an advertising agency in Los Angeles.—
Pilar Melendez,
NBC news,
26 Dec. 2025
-
In Chiloé Island, Chile, NPR's Michele Kelemen noticed many stores selling images of witches.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
With three new magicians, plus the returns of Caplan and Mark Ruffalo’s Dylan (in a brief cameo), the Four Horsemen become eight by the end of the movie.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
23 Nov. 2025
-
How exactly did a movie about magicians, of all things, become a true Hollywood success story?—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
15 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Who were the ad wizards who came up with that one?—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Whatever uncanny floating effect Henson’s wizards put on that baby has freaked me out for decades.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Wizards, or mages (as the group has commonly referred to Eleven), develop their powers using arcane magic to cast powerful spells.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
26 Nov. 2025
-
Yennefer is now spearheading a new alliance of mages and elves operating out of The Lodge.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Our conjure drives the cinematic imagination of Americans like the hags who ride our backs during our darkest nightmares.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Oct. 2025
-
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 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share