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

Prologue is also backing The Root of All Evil, set up at Atomic Monster and Blumhouse, which is described as a psychological thriller based on former New York Times correspondent Ravi Somaiya’s work reporting on an exorcism in Mexico City. —Erik Hayden, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024

Eventually, the girl’s desperate parents had no choice but to seek an exorcism. —Matthew Gabriele, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024

The locals believe she's possessed by a demon and attempt an exorcism. —Emy Lacroix, People.com, 4 Oct. 2024

The exorcism of Latoya Ammons A bit of a surprise entry on the list is something that didn't actually happen this year, but interest around the supernatural story from 2014 exploded thanks to a new retelling. —Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 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