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

To up their sorcery skills, this kit contains activities that teach them tricks using chemical reactions, such as making ordinary powders mystically foam and change color, creating test tube crystal balls, and more. —Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 5 Dec. 2024

The respective casting of those roles — Ariana Grande as the minimally gifted sorcery student who will go on to become Glinda, Good Witch of the North, and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, future Wicked Witch of the West — is the movie’s winning hand. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024

Melisandre, Game of Thrones In its first season, sorcery is a relic of the past on Game of Thrones. —Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2024

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

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