exorcism

noun

ex·​or·​cism ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce exorcism (audio) -sər- How to pronounce exorcism (audio)
1
: the act or practice of exorcising
2
: a spell or formula used in exorcising
exorcist noun

Examples of exorcism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There is no exorcism, no remedy, no uncanny extermination. Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024 In real life, the Malaysian factory workers weren’t fully responsive to the Western treatments — like Valium — that their employers put forward, reacting more positively to the services of a shaman, who performed an exorcism to rid them of their maladies. Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 The book opens with an ambivalent turn of sorcery, a conjuring act that is also an exorcism. Jess Bergman, The New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2023 The group member later recanted, saying his confession came as a result of an exorcism. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2024 Depicting the religious perspective in the narrative is Carmencita (Paula Luchsinger), a nun sent to perform an exorcism who instead is seduced by Pinochet and wants to become a vampire herself. Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024 For Haas, his memoir was an act of exorcism that freed him to devote all his energies to music. Jeffrey Arlo Brown, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2024 Laura Linney plays Erin Bruner, a lawyer defending a Catholic priest who performed an exorcism on 19-year-old Emily (Jennifer Carpenter), who ended up dying. Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 25 Nov. 2023 Later in the essay, readers learn that De Rozario was subjected by her mother and her church friends to a seven-hour exorcism meant to banish her sin of queerness. Ilana Masad, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exorcism.' 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

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exorcism was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near exorcism

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

exorcism

noun
ex·​or·​cism ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsiz-əm How to pronounce exorcism (audio)
-sər-
: the act or practice of exorcising
exorcist
-ˌsist How to pronounce exorcism (audio)
-səst
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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