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  -sər- 

-səst

noun

exorcistic

ˌek-ˌsȯr-ˈsi-stik  -sər- 

adjective

or exorcistical

ˌek-ˌsȯr-ˈsi-sti-kəl  -sər- 

Examples of exorcism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cameron and Colin Cairnes’ found footage/documentary style chiller takes audiences on a ride as Jack Delroy, a 1970s talk show host desperate to scare up ratings by holding a live exorcism on his show. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024

Over 10 months, priests Ernst Alt and Arnold Renz performed 67 exorcisms on Michel. —Declan Gallagher and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024

As played by a charismatic Patrick Fabian, Cotton is an Evangelical minister who’s lost his faith and has been performing phony exorcisms. —A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 30 July 2024

Recently, Hobbs has been seen in Lee Daniels’ Netflix exorcism pic The Deliverance, as well as Angel Studios’ Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

exorcism

noun

ex·​or·​cism ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsiz-əm 

-sər-

: the act or practice of exorcising

exorcist

-ˌsist 

-səst

noun