charisma
noun
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The Greek word charisma means "favor" or "gift." It comes from the verb charizesthai ("to favor"), which in turn comes from the noun charis, meaning "grace." In English, charisma was originally used in Christian contexts to refer to a gift or power bestowed upon an individual by the Holy Spirit for the good of the Church—a sense that is now very rare. These days, we use the word to refer to social, rather than divine, grace. For instance, a leader with charisma may easily gain popular support, and a job applicant with charisma may shine in an interview.
Synonyms
Examples of charisma in a Sentence
Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Carroll has long been regarded around the league as a force of nature who exudes charisma and positive energy with a knack for creating belief and connection within his teams.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
Even constituents who were horrified by Boebert sometimes acknowledged her charisma.
—Peter Hessler, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
After all, no one can predict the next unicorn by analyzing a pitch or judging an individual’s charisma; the magic lies in fostering an environment where bold action and entrepreneurial spirit, combined with unicorn skills, can flourish.
—Dileep Rao, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Charisma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charisma. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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charisma
noun
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