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

Sam uses her sorcery to help advance her husband’s career and for chores around the house. —Lisa Stardust, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024

The lack of weight here helps enormously, of course—and this is the sorcery behind how the Spring manages 140 miles per charge on such a tiny battery. —Jeremy White, WIRED, 5 Aug. 2024

Even the fantasy world of JJK sorcery techniques gets a shoutout. —Zoe Guy, Vulture, 28 June 2024

That’s not to say that all of the swords and sorcery mean that Metaphor doesn’t explore real-world issues. —Andrew Webster, The Verge, 7 Oct. 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