exorcism
noun
ex·or·cism ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsi-zəm 
-sər-
1
: the act or practice of exorcising
2
: a spell or formula used in exorcising
exorcist
ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsist
noun -səst
-sər-
exorcistic
ˌek-ˌsȯr-ˈsi-stik
adjective -sər-
or exorcistical
ˌek-ˌsȯr-ˈsi-sti-kəl
-sər-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Trust us, witches — no exorcism, seance, or plain 'ol Trick-Or-Treating sesh is complete without content that will fill the feeds of your friends with ghostly pics and conjure up some laughs. 
Seventeen, 7 Sep. 2022 The minutiae being combed through at the trial has come to feel less like a lawsuit and more like a torturous exorcism of the past, a thorough and painful raking over the coals of their four-year entanglement. Raven Smith, Vogue, 17 May 2022 Los Angeles Times 3-year-old girl allegedly killed in ‘exorcism’ at San Jose church. Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2022 Sale needs an injury exorcism or a Kyrie Irving-style saging of Fenway Park. Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2022 The exercise of control is as entertaining on this album as the exorcism of stress. Wesley Morris, New York Times, 30 July 2022 The extent of my knowledge of Amaral's work had been seeing a video in which Julianne Hough underwent a dramatic energy treatment that some likened to an exorcism, with bodily convulsions and screaming. Paige Stables, Allure, 30 July 2022 Lyonne's scenes, which serve as a cold open of sorts to the film, involve priests played by Andy Richter and James Woods attempting (and failing) to do an exorcism on her. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2022 When Flynn died, new owners brought in an archdeacon for an onboard exorcism. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 See More
Seventeen, 7 Sep. 2022 The minutiae being combed through at the trial has come to feel less like a lawsuit and more like a torturous exorcism of the past, a thorough and painful raking over the coals of their four-year entanglement. Raven Smith, Vogue, 17 May 2022 Los Angeles Times 3-year-old girl allegedly killed in ‘exorcism’ at San Jose church. Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2022 Sale needs an injury exorcism or a Kyrie Irving-style saging of Fenway Park. Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2022 The exercise of control is as entertaining on this album as the exorcism of stress. Wesley Morris, New York Times, 30 July 2022 The extent of my knowledge of Amaral's work had been seeing a video in which Julianne Hough underwent a dramatic energy treatment that some likened to an exorcism, with bodily convulsions and screaming. Paige Stables, Allure, 30 July 2022 Lyonne's scenes, which serve as a cold open of sorts to the film, involve priests played by Andy Richter and James Woods attempting (and failing) to do an exorcism on her. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2022 When Flynn died, new owners brought in an archdeacon for an onboard exorcism. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
exorcism
noun
as in witchcraft
Synonyms & Similar Words
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- witchcraft
- sorcery
- necromancy
- divination
- conjuring
- witchery
- magic
- wizardry
- thaumaturgy
- voodooism
- soothsaying
- incantation
- divining
- bewitchment
- sortilege
- talisman
- devilry
- prophesying
- diablerie
- forecasting
- amulet
- mojo
- foretelling
- predicting
- enchantment
- spiritualism
- presaging
- crystal gazing
- conjuration
- fetish
- deviltry
- occultism
- phylactery
- prognosticating
- bewitchery
- foreseeing
- fortune-telling
- ensorcellment
- augury
- fetich
- spell
- abracadabra
- mascot
- glamour
- foreknowing
- hoodoo
- glamor
- charm
- omen
- jinx
- curse
- alchemy
- periapt
- augur
- hexerei
- hex
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- science