exorcise

verb

ex·​or·​cise ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsīz How to pronounce exorcise (audio) -sər- How to pronounce exorcise (audio)
variants or less commonly exorcize
exorcised also exorcized; exorcising also exorcizing

transitive verb

1
a
: to expel (an evil spirit) by adjuration
b
: to get rid of (something troublesome, menacing, or oppressive)
2
: to free of an evil spirit
exorciser noun

Examples of exorcise in a Sentence

The movie is about a priest who tries to exorcise demons from a young girl. please exorcise that offensive word from your vocabulary
Recent Examples on the Web One assumes, this exorcising priest identified it as such before blessing the devil out of it. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 3 Jan. 2024 There's a reason for that longevity: Not only are the three witches (Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker) both menacing and humorous, but their demise rests on a few very smart kids who have to figure out how to exorcise the devilish trio for good. Gwen Ihnat, EW.com, 26 Sep. 2023 In short, this version of the Lions – led by the charismatic and infectious Campbell – was exorcising many of the organization’s prior demons. Ben Morse, CNN, 29 Jan. 2024 As durability has become less of a concern — Leonard has played in 30 and George 32 of the team’s 34 games — the Clippers have shown an ability to exorcise other past demons. Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2024 Within weeks, McCarthy was flying to Mar-a-Lago to pose with the defeated ex-President—a visual that spoke to the Republican Party’s decision not to exorcise Trump once and for all but to stick with him. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2023 Michel then insisted on being exorcised and her parents sought the help of Father Arnold Renz and Father Ernst Alt, who performed a host of exorcisms beginning in September 1975. Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 30 Oct. 2023 After learning the story of the teenage boy, Blatty connected with a priest who claimed to have exorcised the demon from the Mount Rainier boy, The Post reported. Maham Javaid, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023 Kramer is like a grizzled sheriff who has come to exorcise your demons. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Sep. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French exorciscer, from Late Latin exorcizare, from Greek exorkizein, from ex- + horkizein to bind by oath, adjure, from horkos oath

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of exorcise was in 1539

Dictionary Entries Near exorcise

Cite this Entry

“Exorcise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exorcise. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

exorcise

verb
ex·​or·​cise ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsīz How to pronounce exorcise (audio)
-sər-
exorcised; exorcising
: to drive (as an evil spirit) off by calling upon some holy name or by spells

More from Merriam-Webster on exorcise

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