witch doctor

noun

: a professional worker of magic usually in a primitive society who often works to cure sickness

Examples of witch doctor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web While Keaton did not elaborate on the shrunken head room, the first film featured a scene in which Beetlejuice’s own head gets shrunk by a witch doctor who also shrunk the head of a hunter. Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 19 Feb. 2024 On the other chair was Sincere Seven, the 43-year-old master of this ceremony, who calls himself a multidimensional travel agent, spiritual tour guide, medicine man and witch doctor. John Carlisle, Freep.com, 18 Aug. 2022 What, did Orlando City send a staffer to Sacramento’s practice or a witch doctor? Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 But a witch doctor told them their girls, Victorine and Victoria Nikiema, needed to beg for money on the side of the road or risk being killed by a family member’s spirit. Sam Mednick, ajc, 26 Dec. 2021 Zagre and her husband, Ousmane Nikiema, visited a witch doctor after giving birth to both sets of twins. Sam Mednick, ajc, 26 Dec. 2021 They are driven by dream requests and witch doctor instructions, mothers told The Associated Press. Sam Mednick, ajc, 26 Dec. 2021 Fine, the witch doctor (played by Keener) acknowledges. Andy Meek, BGR, 10 Aug. 2021 However, getting policy statements from the Center of the American Experiment on how to do this is like getting cancer treatment advice from a witch doctor. Star Tribune, 26 Jan. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'witch doctor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of witch doctor was in 1718

Dictionary Entries Near witch doctor

Cite this Entry

“Witch doctor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witch%20doctor. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

witch doctor

noun
: a person usually in a primitive society who uses magic to treat sickness and to fight off evil spirits
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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