exorcise

verb

ex·​or·​cise ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsīz How to pronounce exorcise (audio) -sər- How to pronounce exorcise (audio)
variants or less commonly exorcize
exorcised also exorcized; exorcising also exorcizing

transitive verb

1
a
: to expel (an evil spirit) by adjuration
b
: to get rid of (something troublesome, menacing, or oppressive)
2
: to free of an evil spirit
exorciser noun

Examples of exorcise in a Sentence

The movie is about a priest who tries to exorcise demons from a young girl. please exorcise that offensive word from your vocabulary
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But if Martin’s memoir, Born Standing Up, is to be believed, he’s exorcised most of those demons. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024 Both teams can exorcise the 2017 demons, then give us the series we were deprived of in 2017. Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024 There's a reason for that longevity: Not only are the three witches (Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker) both menacing and humorous, but their demise rests on a few clever kids who have to figure out how to exorcise the devilish trio for good. Gwen Ihnat, EW.com, 25 Sep. 2024 But part of changing a culture and establishing a new legacy is exorcising ghosts, real and imagined. Jerry Beach, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exorcise 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French exorciscer, from Late Latin exorcizare, from Greek exorkizein, from ex- + horkizein to bind by oath, adjure, from horkos oath

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of exorcise was in 1539

Dictionary Entries Near exorcise

Cite this Entry

“Exorcise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exorcise. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

exorcise

verb
ex·​or·​cise ˈek-ˌsȯr-ˌsīz How to pronounce exorcise (audio)
-sər-
exorcised; exorcising
: to drive (as an evil spirit) off by calling upon some holy name or by spells

More from Merriam-Webster on exorcise

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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