witchcraft
noun
witch·craft
ˈwich-ˌkraft 
1
a
: the use of sorcery or magic
b
: communication with the devil or with a familiar
2
: an irresistible influence or fascination
3
a
: rituals and practices that incorporate belief in magic and that are associated especially with neo-pagan traditions and religions (such as Wicca)
Practitioners of Wicca … use the tools … such as the broom (a purifying symbol), the wand, candles, crystals and the knife …. They refer to their practices as witchcraft …—
Lesley Wright
Lesley Wright
b
or less commonly Witchcraft
: a tradition or religion that involves the practice of witchcraft
Feminist witchcraft sees women's oppression and environmental abuse, which they argue are intimately linked, as firmly rooted in patriarchal religions.—Wendy Griffin
Wendy GriffinWicca, which emerged in the 1940s in England, is the original form of modern Pagan Witchcraft.—Meg Yardley
Meg YardleyExamples of witchcraft in a Sentence
taught all of her daughters witchcraft
Recent Examples on the Web
The best interpreters embrace that witchcraft, in their way.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
In a home for pregnant young women in 1970 Florida, a book on witchcraft upends lives.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
But the real witchcraft in the novel is the language; even in translation, Marías’s sinuous, elliptical prose unfolds like a troubled dream.
—M.l. Rio, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
As was common for the times, many blamed the sudden outbreak on witchcraft or demonic possessions.
—Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
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Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
In a home for pregnant young women in 1970 Florida, a book on witchcraft upends lives.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
But the real witchcraft in the novel is the language; even in translation, Marías’s sinuous, elliptical prose unfolds like a troubled dream.
—M.l. Rio, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
As was common for the times, many blamed the sudden outbreak on witchcraft or demonic possessions.
—Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for witchcraft
Articles Related to witchcraft
Cite this Entry
“Witchcraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witchcraft. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
witchcraft
noun
witch·craft
-ˌkraft
: the use of sorcery or magic
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