sorcery

noun

sor·​cery ˈsȯr-sə-rē 

ˈsȯrs-rē

1

: the use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits especially for divining : necromancy

2

: magic sense 2a

Synonyms

• bewitchery
• bewitchment
• conjuring
• devilry
• deviltry
• diablerie
• enchantment
• ensorcellment
• magic
• mojo
• necromancy
• thaumaturgy
• voodooism
• witchcraft
• witchery
• wizardry

Examples of sorcery in a Sentence

in olden times people suspected of sorcery were often put to death

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the Nets‘ shorthanded sorcery was nullified in Friday’s 123-100 loss to the Orlando Magic at Barclays Center. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 29 Nov. 2024

When tragedies happen in Papua New Guinea, accusations of sorcery often follow — bringing violence in their wake. —David Leonhardt, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024

Imagine if Elle Woods from Legally Blonde aspired to sorcery instead of law school (and had a four-octave range to boot). —Eric Andersson, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

Prophecy is about just how dangerous women in STEM — that is, sorcery, transmutation, eugenics, and mothering — can be. —Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sorcerie, from Anglo-French, from sorcer sorcerer, from Medieval Latin sortiarius, from Latin sort-, sors chance, lot — more at series

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sorcery

noun

sor·​cery ˈsȯrs-(ə-)rē 

: the use of powers gotten with the help of or by the control of evil spirits : witchcraft